Best counties to live in Rhode Island
What makes a particular county the best? Oftentimes, it's a good mix of opportunities for fun outdoor activities and cultural attractions. Throw in some historical sites, good schools, job opportunities, and affordable housing, and the county will most likely have happy residents.
Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to live in Rhode Island using rankings from Niche. Niche ranks counties by a variety of factors including: public schools, educational attainment, cost of living, and housing.
Many counties on the list are experiencing growth due to their job opportunities, education, or home values. Others are adored for their historic or well-designed value, or devotion to cultural opportunities. Keep reading to see if your county made the list.
#5. Providence County
- Median home value: $233,500 (54% own)
- Median rent: $967 (46% rent)
- Median household income: $58,974
- Top public schools: Classical High School (A), Blackstone Valley Prep Mid2 (A), Achievement First Iluminar (A)
- Top private schools: Moses Brown School (A+), Lincoln School (A+), The Wheeler School (A+)
- Top places to live: Blackstone (A), Wayland (A), College Hill (A)
#4. Kent County
- Median home value: $236,300 (70% own)
- Median rent: $1,079 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $73,521
- Top public schools: East Greenwich High School (A+), Frenchtown School (A+), Meadowbrook Farms School (A)
- Top private schools: Rocky Hill Country Day School (A+), Bishop Hendricken High School (A), St. Rose of Lima School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: East Greenwich (A+), West Greenwich (B+), Warwick (B+)
#3. Newport County
- Median home value: $387,900 (63% own)
- Median rent: $1,285 (37% rent)
- Median household income: $79,454
- Top public schools: Melville School (A), Lawn School (A), Melrose School (A)
- Top private schools: Portsmouth Abbey School (A+), St. George's School (A+), St. Michael's Country Day School (A)
- Top places to live: Jamestown (A), Portsmouth (A), Newport (A)
#2. Washington County
- Median home value: $343,000 (74% own)
- Median rent: $1,133 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $85,531
- Top public schools: Kingston Hill Academy (A+), Narragansett High School (A), Wickford Middle School (A)
- Top private schools: The Prout School (A), Quest Montessori School (A+), Child Development Center at University of Rhode Island (A)
- Top places to live: Kingston (A+), North Kingstown (A), South Kingstown (A)
#1. Bristol County
- Median home value: $358,100 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,037 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $83,092
- Top public schools: Barrington High School (A+), Nayatt School (A+), Barrington Middle School (A)
- Top private schools: St. Andrews School (A+), Barrington Christian Academy (A), St. Luke Elementary School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Barrington (A+), Bristol (A), Warren (B+)
