Cost of Living in Rhode Island
Based on 1 city we track in Rhode Island.
Cost of living in Rhode Island is shaped mostly by rent across the 1 city we track there. A one-bedroom apartment runs around $1,030 a month — about the same as the $1,052 median across the 51 states we track.
Median household income across those cities is $66,772, about the same as the $67,043 median across the states we track. Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.
State Medians
Median 1BR Rent
$1,030
Median Home Value
$322,800
Median Income
$66,772
Avg Temperature
51.6°F
Medians across the Rhode Island cities we track — not a statewide population-weighted figure.
State Taxes
State Sales Tax
7%
State Income Tax (top rate)
Up to 5.99%
Cities in Rhode Island
Compare Rhode Island with
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Rhode Island cost of living — FAQ
- Is Rhode Island expensive to live in?
- Rhode Island is around the middle of the 51 states we track. Its median one-bedroom rent of $1,030 ranks #27 of 51 and is about the same as the $1,052 median.
- What is the average rent in Rhode Island?
- Across the 1 city we track in Rhode Island, average rent runs a studio around $1,116, a one-bedroom around $1,030, a two-bedroom around $1,323, a three-bedroom around $1,627 per month (US Census ACS).
- What is the median home price in Rhode Island?
- The median home value across the cities we track in Rhode Island is $322,800 — 12% higher than the $287,500 median across the states we track.
- Does Rhode Island have a state income tax?
- Yes — Rhode Island's top state income tax rate is 5.99% (most filers pay less than the top rate). Its state sales tax rate is 7%; local jurisdictions may add more.
- How much do you need to earn to live in Rhode Island?
- To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,030 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year. Median household income across the cities we track in Rhode Island is $66,772.
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).