City Report · RI

Middletown

·1st most expensive in Rhode Island·Middletown rents are up 11.9% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$3,327/mo
Year-over-Year
+11.9%
Month-over-Month
+2.4%
vs US Median
+$1,395
Reported rents
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Middletown · $3,327
More expensive than 94% of US cities · National median $1,932/mo
Affordability
55% of income
EXPENSIVE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $3,327/mo, rent takes about 55% of the US median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$133,000/yr
US median income
$72,000/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Middletown's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,590
1 BR
$1,600
2 BR
$2,100
3 BR
$2,800
4 BR+
$3,240
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,100/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $3,327 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

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Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Past year vs. the rest of Rhode Island

Rent in Middletown changed +11.9% over the year to September 2026. Across the 19 Rhode Island cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.9%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 4 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.

Cheaper nearby

Portsmouth, 5 miles away, rents for 13% less ($2,887/mo), about $5,300 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Middletown.

Annual cost
$39,924/yr
At $3,327/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 11.9% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+11.9% YoY, +2.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Community

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

Can you afford rent in Middletown on your salary?

At $3,327/mo, how Middletown rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Middletown rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Middletown

About renting in Middletown, RI

Last updated: October 17, 2026

The median rent in Middletown is $3,327/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,590/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,100/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,600/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,800/mo.

At 55% of estimated US median household income ($72,000/yr), Middletown ranks as expensive compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 11.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in Middletown?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $133,000/year (about $64/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,327/mo in Middletown.

Is rent going up or down in Middletown?

Rent in Middletown has risen 11.9% over the past year.

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

Middletown is one of the pricier among Rhode Island cities for rent, ranking #1 of 24 tracked cities at $3,327/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in Middletown changed +11.9%, against a typical +4.9% across the 19 Rhode Island cities Zillow tracks.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Middletown?

Nearby cities with lower median rent than Middletown ($3,327/mo) include North Kingstown ($2,383/mo), Portsmouth ($2,887/mo), and Bristol ($2,939/mo).
Income Affordability
55%
EXPENSIVE

At $3,327/mo, rent takes ~55% of US median household income ($72,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Middletown 55%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.75–5.99%
Run the Middletown affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Middletown
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Middletown, RI

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