RentDataNowRentDataNow
City Report · RI

Johnston

·20th most expensive in Rhode Island·Rental market data updated monthly for Johnston, RI
Median rent (all units)
$1,910/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-5.4%
vs US Median
-$52
Falling (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Johnston rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Johnston · $1,910
More expensive than 53% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
32% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,910/mo, rent takes about 32% of the US median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$76,000/yr
US median income
$72,000/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Johnston's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,210
1 BR
$1,300
2 BR
$1,590
3 BR
$1,920
4 BR+
$2,320
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,590/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,910 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$22,920/yr
At $1,910/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -5.4% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Community

Discussions about Johnston

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

View Johnston rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Johnston on your salary?

At $1,910/mo, how Johnston rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Johnston rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Johnston. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Johnston

About renting in Johnston, RI

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Johnston is $1,910/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,210/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,590/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,300/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,920/mo.

At 32% of estimated US median household income ($72,000/yr), Johnston ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Johnston an affordable city for renters?

Johnston is considered moderate for renters. At $1,910/mo, rent takes approximately 32% of the US median household income ($72,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Johnston slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Johnston?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $76,000/year (~$37/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,910/mo in Johnston.

Is rent going up or down in Johnston?

Rent in Johnston has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Johnston rent compare to other cities in Rhode Island?

Johnston is one of the more affordable cities in Rhode Island for rent, ranking #20 out of 24 tracked cities at $1,910/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Johnston?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Johnston ($1,910/mo): Central Falls ($1,694/mo), North Providence ($1,896/mo).

How does Johnston rent compare to the national average?

Johnston's median rent of $1,910/mo is $52 (3%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Rhode Island, it ranks #20 out of 24 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
32%
MODERATE

At $1,910/mo, rent takes ~32% of US median household income ($72,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Johnston 32%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.75–5.99%
Run the Johnston affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Johnston
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Johnston, RI

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Johnston.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.

Add RentDataNow as a preferred source on Google