The Rhode Island rental market
Rhode Island tracks median rent across 24 cities, ranging from Central Falls at $1,547/mo to Middletown at $3,327/mo. The state average of $2,334/mo runs about 21% above the national median of $1,932/mo.
Across Rhode Island cities, rents are rising, changing an average of +6.8% over the past year. 20 of 25 tracked cities are priced above the national median, while 5 fall below it. The largest rental markets are Providence, Cranston, Warwick.
What the numbers show
Rent fell in 0 of 24 Rhode Island cities Zillow tracks over the year to September 2026, and rose in the rest.
7 cities are at the highest rent in at least three years of Zillow records. See the list.
Among cities with 15,000+ residents, Newport ($3,022/mo) costs 2 times as much as Central Falls ($1,547/mo).
Across 6 Rhode Island cities with five or more years of data, asking rents usually bottom out in January and peak in June, a typical swing of 2.5%.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Rhode Island cities, as of September 2026.
Rhode Island rent questions
What is the average rent in Rhode Island?
The average median rent across 24 tracked cities in Rhode Island is $2,334/mo, about 21% above the national median of $1,932/mo.
Which Rhode Island city has the highest rent?
Middletown has the highest median rent in Rhode Island at $3,327/mo.
Which Rhode Island city has the most affordable rent?
Central Falls is the most affordable tracked city in Rhode Island, with a median rent of $1,547/mo.
Are rents rising or falling in Rhode Island?
Across Rhode Island cities, median rents are rising, changing an average of +6.8% over the past year.
How does Rhode Island rent compare to the rest of the country?
20 of 25 tracked Rhode Island cities have a median rent above the national median of $1,932/mo, and 5 fall below it.
What are the largest rental markets in Rhode Island?
By population, the largest rental markets in Rhode Island are Providence, Cranston, Warwick. Each has its own rent data, trends, and ZIP-level breakdowns on RentDataNow.