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Best suburbs to live in Rhode Island
Cities may have the nightlife, but the convenience and affordability of the suburbs are becoming hot as the millennial generation moves into its homebuying phase. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic shook up workplace norms and superheated the housing market, folks have been flocking away from major urban centers.
In Colorado, for instance, lesser-known suburbs outside of Denver such as Boulder have become magnets for young parents, ranking among the biggest destinations for out-of-state millennials who chose to move in 2023. And companies are taking note of the trend as well: Many are establishing satellite offices and new headquarters in less urban areas.
Stacker compiled a list of the best suburbs to live in Rhode Island using data from Niche's 2024 Best Places to Live. Niche ranks places to live based on an array of factors, including the cost of living, educational level of residents, housing costs, and quality of schools.
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#15. Cranston, Rhode Island
- Overall Rank: 2,466
- Population: 82,691
- Median household income: $83,123
- Median home value: $326,000 (66% own)
- Median rent: $1,270 (34% rent)
- Top public schools: The Greene School (grade A minus), Blackstone Valley Prep High School (grade A minus), Blackstone Valley Prep Junior High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: The Wheeler School (grade A+), Lincoln School (grade A+), Moses Brown School (grade A+)
- Population: 82,691
- Median household income: $83,123
- Median home value: $326,000 (66% own)
- Median rent: $1,270 (34% rent)
- Top public schools: The Greene School (grade A minus), Blackstone Valley Prep High School (grade A minus), Blackstone Valley Prep Junior High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: The Wheeler School (grade A+), Lincoln School (grade A+), Moses Brown School (grade A+)
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#14. Smithfield, Rhode Island
- Overall Rank: 2,423
- Population: 22,086
- Median household income: $93,179
- Median home value: $371,400 (80% own)
- Median rent: $988 (20% rent)
- Top public schools: Raymond C. LaPerche School (grade A), Blackstone Valley Prep High School (grade A minus), Blackstone Valley Prep Junior High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: The Wheeler School (grade A+), Lincoln School (grade A+), Moses Brown School (grade A+)
- Population: 22,086
- Median household income: $93,179
- Median home value: $371,400 (80% own)
- Median rent: $988 (20% rent)
- Top public schools: Raymond C. LaPerche School (grade A), Blackstone Valley Prep High School (grade A minus), Blackstone Valley Prep Junior High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: The Wheeler School (grade A+), Lincoln School (grade A+), Moses Brown School (grade A+)
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#13. Bristol, Rhode Island
- Overall Rank: 2,120
- Population: 22,420
- Median household income: $91,382
- Median home value: $426,000 (70% own)
- Median rent: $1,276 (30% rent)
- Top public schools: Rockwell School (grade B+), Guiteras Elementary School (grade B+), Colt Andrews School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Portsmouth Abbey School (grade A+), St. Andrew's School (grade A+), Barrington Christian Academy (grade A)
- Population: 22,420
- Median household income: $91,382
- Median home value: $426,000 (70% own)
- Median rent: $1,276 (30% rent)
- Top public schools: Rockwell School (grade B+), Guiteras Elementary School (grade B+), Colt Andrews School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Portsmouth Abbey School (grade A+), St. Andrew's School (grade A+), Barrington Christian Academy (grade A)
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#12. Middletown, Rhode Island
- Overall Rank: 2,095
- Population: 17,009
- Median household income: $97,555
- Median home value: $480,100 (59% own)
- Median rent: $1,652 (41% rent)
- Top public schools: Aquidneck School (grade A minus), Middletown High School (grade B+), Joseph H. Gaudet School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: St. George's School (grade A+), Portsmouth Abbey School (grade A+), Quest Montessori School (grade A+)
- Population: 17,009
- Median household income: $97,555
- Median home value: $480,100 (59% own)
- Median rent: $1,652 (41% rent)
- Top public schools: Aquidneck School (grade A minus), Middletown High School (grade B+), Joseph H. Gaudet School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: St. George's School (grade A+), Portsmouth Abbey School (grade A+), Quest Montessori School (grade A+)
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#11. Narragansett, Rhode Island
- Overall Rank: 2,074
- Population: 14,623
- Median household income: $90,214
- Median home value: $600,200 (69% own)
- Median rent: $1,681 (31% rent)
- Top public schools: Kingston Hill Academy (grade A), Narragansett Elementary School (grade A), Narragansett High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: The Prout School (grade A minus), Quest Montessori School (grade A+), Monsignor Matthew Clarke Catholic Regional School (grade A)
- Population: 14,623
- Median household income: $90,214
- Median home value: $600,200 (69% own)
- Median rent: $1,681 (31% rent)
- Top public schools: Kingston Hill Academy (grade A), Narragansett Elementary School (grade A), Narragansett High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: The Prout School (grade A minus), Quest Montessori School (grade A+), Monsignor Matthew Clarke Catholic Regional School (grade A)
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#10. Cumberland, Rhode Island
- Overall Rank: 2,042
- Population: 36,276
- Median household income: $109,466
- Median home value: $370,600 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,129 (23% rent)
- Top public schools: Community School (grade A), North Cumberland Middle School (grade A), Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School (grade A)
- Top private schools: The Wheeler School (grade A+), Lincoln School (grade A+), Moses Brown School (grade A+)
- Population: 36,276
- Median household income: $109,466
- Median home value: $370,600 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,129 (23% rent)
- Top public schools: Community School (grade A), North Cumberland Middle School (grade A), Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School (grade A)
- Top private schools: The Wheeler School (grade A+), Lincoln School (grade A+), Moses Brown School (grade A+)
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#9. Portsmouth, Rhode Island
- Overall Rank: 1,967
- Population: 17,846
- Median household income: $107,010
- Median home value: $483,700 (81% own)
- Median rent: $1,731 (19% rent)
- Top public schools: Portsmouth Middle School (grade A minus), Portsmouth High School (grade A minus), Melville School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: St. George's School (grade A+), Portsmouth Abbey School (grade A+), Nazarene Christian Academy (grade B+)
- Population: 17,846
- Median household income: $107,010
- Median home value: $483,700 (81% own)
- Median rent: $1,731 (19% rent)
- Top public schools: Portsmouth Middle School (grade A minus), Portsmouth High School (grade A minus), Melville School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: St. George's School (grade A+), Portsmouth Abbey School (grade A+), Nazarene Christian Academy (grade B+)
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#8. Lincoln, Rhode Island
- Overall Rank: 1,713
- Population: 22,476
- Median household income: $104,258
- Median home value: $384,900 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,205 (28% rent)
- Top public schools: Blackstone Valley Prep High School (grade A minus), Lincoln Middle School (grade A minus), Blackstone Valley Prep Junior High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: The Wheeler School (grade A+), Lincoln School (grade A+), Moses Brown School (grade A+)
- Population: 22,476
- Median household income: $104,258
- Median home value: $384,900 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,205 (28% rent)
- Top public schools: Blackstone Valley Prep High School (grade A minus), Lincoln Middle School (grade A minus), Blackstone Valley Prep Junior High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: The Wheeler School (grade A+), Lincoln School (grade A+), Moses Brown School (grade A+)
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#7. Jamestown, Rhode Island
- Overall Rank: 1,500
- Population: 5,554
- Median household income: $131,875
- Median home value: $736,600 (86% own)
- Median rent: $1,623 (14% rent)
- Top public schools: Kingston Hill Academy (grade A), Jamestown School-Lawn (grade A), Jamestown School-Melrose (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: St. George's School (grade A+), Portsmouth Abbey School (grade A+), The Prout School (grade A minus)
- Population: 5,554
- Median household income: $131,875
- Median home value: $736,600 (86% own)
- Median rent: $1,623 (14% rent)
- Top public schools: Kingston Hill Academy (grade A), Jamestown School-Lawn (grade A), Jamestown School-Melrose (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: St. George's School (grade A+), Portsmouth Abbey School (grade A+), The Prout School (grade A minus)
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#6. Cumberland Hill, Rhode Island
- Overall Rank: 1,446
- Population: 8,866
- Median household income: $120,365
- Median home value: $342,900 (86% own)
- Median rent: $983 (14% rent)
- Top public schools: Community School (grade A), North Cumberland Middle School (grade A), Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School (grade A)
- Top private schools: The Wheeler School (grade A+), Moses Brown School (grade A+), Saint Raphael Academy (grade A)
- Population: 8,866
- Median household income: $120,365
- Median home value: $342,900 (86% own)
- Median rent: $983 (14% rent)
- Top public schools: Community School (grade A), North Cumberland Middle School (grade A), Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School (grade A)
- Top private schools: The Wheeler School (grade A+), Moses Brown School (grade A+), Saint Raphael Academy (grade A)
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#5. North Kingstown, Rhode Island
- Overall Rank: 1,280
- Population: 27,719
- Median household income: $116,053
- Median home value: $444,200 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,161 (24% rent)
- Top public schools: Wickford Middle School (grade A), Hamilton School (grade A), Kingston Hill Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools: St. George's School (grade A+), Rocky Hill Country Day School (grade A+), Bishop Hendricken High School (grade A)
- Population: 27,719
- Median household income: $116,053
- Median home value: $444,200 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,161 (24% rent)
- Top public schools: Wickford Middle School (grade A), Hamilton School (grade A), Kingston Hill Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools: St. George's School (grade A+), Rocky Hill Country Day School (grade A+), Bishop Hendricken High School (grade A)
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#4. Kingston, Rhode Island
- Overall Rank: 1,246
- Population: 6,560
- Median household income: $108,056
- Median home value: $458,600 (83% own)
- Median rent: $1,568 (17% rent)
- Top public schools: Kingston Hill Academy (grade A), The Compass School (grade B+), Broad Rock Middle School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: The Prout School (grade A minus), Quest Montessori School (grade A+), Monsignor Matthew Clarke Catholic Regional School (grade A)
- Population: 6,560
- Median household income: $108,056
- Median home value: $458,600 (83% own)
- Median rent: $1,568 (17% rent)
- Top public schools: Kingston Hill Academy (grade A), The Compass School (grade B+), Broad Rock Middle School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: The Prout School (grade A minus), Quest Montessori School (grade A+), Monsignor Matthew Clarke Catholic Regional School (grade A)
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#3. South Kingstown, Rhode Island
- Overall Rank: 1,204
- Population: 31,928
- Median household income: $108,474
- Median home value: $467,400 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,334 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Kingston Hill Academy (grade A), Narragansett Elementary School (grade A), The Greene School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: The Prout School (grade A minus), Quest Montessori School (grade A+), Monsignor Matthew Clarke Catholic Regional School (grade A)
- Population: 31,928
- Median household income: $108,474
- Median home value: $467,400 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,334 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Kingston Hill Academy (grade A), Narragansett Elementary School (grade A), The Greene School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: The Prout School (grade A minus), Quest Montessori School (grade A+), Monsignor Matthew Clarke Catholic Regional School (grade A)
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#2. Barrington, Rhode Island
- Overall Rank: 496
- Population: 17,121
- Median household income: $145,028
- Median home value: $549,800 (89% own)
- Median rent: $1,670 (11% rent)
- Top public schools: Barrington High School (grade A+), Barrington Middle School (grade A), Nayatt School (grade A)
- Top private schools: The Wheeler School (grade A+), Lincoln School (grade A+), Moses Brown School (grade A+)
- Population: 17,121
- Median household income: $145,028
- Median home value: $549,800 (89% own)
- Median rent: $1,670 (11% rent)
- Top public schools: Barrington High School (grade A+), Barrington Middle School (grade A), Nayatt School (grade A)
- Top private schools: The Wheeler School (grade A+), Lincoln School (grade A+), Moses Brown School (grade A+)
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#1. East Greenwich, Rhode Island
- Overall Rank: 412
- Population: 14,285
- Median household income: $155,037
- Median home value: $568,700 (81% own)
- Median rent: $962 (19% rent)
- Top public schools: Frenchtown School (grade A), Meadowbrook Farms School (grade A), East Greenwich High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: The Wheeler School (grade A+), Lincoln School (grade A+), Moses Brown School (grade A+)
- Population: 14,285
- Median household income: $155,037
- Median home value: $568,700 (81% own)
- Median rent: $962 (19% rent)
- Top public schools: Frenchtown School (grade A), Meadowbrook Farms School (grade A), East Greenwich High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: The Wheeler School (grade A+), Lincoln School (grade A+), Moses Brown School (grade A+)
This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 40 states.
