At $1,547/mo, rent takes about 38% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,547 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Central Falls changed +6.5% over the year to September 2026. Across the 19 Rhode Island cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.9%.
Rent has risen 2 months in a row, and rose in 8 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($49,285) is $1,232 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a studio ($1,170); a 1-bedroom is $1,260.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Central Falls. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Central Falls, RI is majority renter-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 10.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Central Falls, RI has changed in 5 years
Household income in the area moved from $40,235 to $49,285 across the same window, up 22.5% versus 2021. Census counts show Central Falls, RI adding about 509 residents over the five-year window, up 2.3% on net.
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Can you afford rent in Central Falls on your salary?
At $1,547/mo, how Central Falls rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Central Falls rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Central Falls. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Central Falls
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Central Falls is $1,547/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,170/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,530/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,260/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,850/mo.
At 38% of local median household income ($49,285/yr), Central Falls ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.5% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Central Falls?
How does Central Falls rent compare to other cities in Rhode Island?
At $1,547/mo, rent takes ~38% of Central Falls's median household income ($49,285/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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