Rents are 3% below what Westerly's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
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 $2,027 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 Westerly is 0.8% below its high of $2,044 in May 2026, at $2,027 as of September 2026.
Rent in Westerly changed +4.0% over the year to September 2026. Across the 19 Rhode Island cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.9%.
Rent rose in 8 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($95,207) is $2,380 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($2,040); a 4-bedroom is $2,510.
New London, CT, 16 miles away, rents for 16% less ($1,700/mo), about $3,900 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Westerly. 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
Westerly, RI is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 43.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Westerly, RI has changed in 5 years
Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $79,565 in 2021 to $95,207 more recently. Renters now make up 28.6% of households, compared with 31.1% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 43.3% of adults here, versus 31.9% in 2021.
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Can you afford rent in Westerly on your salary?
At $2,027/mo, how Westerly rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Westerly rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Westerly. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Westerly
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Westerly is $2,027/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,330/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,630/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,340/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,040/mo.
At 26% of local median household income ($95,207/yr), Westerly ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.0% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Westerly?
Is rent going up or down in Westerly?
How does Westerly rent compare to other cities in Rhode Island?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Westerly?
At $2,027/mo, rent takes ~26% of Westerly's median household income ($95,207/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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