ZIP Code · RI

ZIP 02861

Part of Pawtucket, RI

Pop. 28,124·Providence County·22nd most expensive ZIP in Rhode Island

Median rent (all units)

$2,008/mo

Year-over-Year

+6.9%

Month-over-Month

+1.3%

vs US Median

+$76

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 02861 · $2,008

More expensive than 62% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,270

1 BR

$1,350

2 BR

$1,670

3 BR

$2,020

4 BR+

$2,400

Research median

$1,670/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 02861 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in October 2022.

Past year vs. the rest of Rhode Island

Rent in ZIP 02861 changed +6.9% over the year to September 2026. Across the 25 Rhode Island ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.8%.

Recent direction

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

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($83,411) is $2,085 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($2,020); a 4-bedroom is $2,400.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 02863, 2 miles away, rents for 23% less ($1,547/mo), about $5,500 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 02861. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$24,096/yr

At $2,008/mo median

Location

CityPawtucket

StateRI

CountyProvidence County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 6.9% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+6.9% YoY, +1.3% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 02861 (Pawtucket, RI) is majority owner-occupied, 20.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

28,124

Median income

$83,411

Median age

37.8

Renters

33.3%

Age distribution

20.8%

23.7%

27.4%

12.9%

15.3%

Under 1820.8%

18–3423.7%

35–5427.4%

55–6412.9%

65+15.3%

Gender

48.6%

51.4%

Male48.6%

Female51.4%

Race & ethnicity

59.7%

18.5%

White59.7%

Black10.3%

Hispanic18.5%

Asian1.3%

Other10.3%

Education (25+)

13.2%

34.5%

31.5%

20.8%

No HS diploma13.2%

HS diploma34.5%

Some college31.5%

Bachelor's+20.8%

Housing tenure

66.7%

33.3%

Owner66.7%

Renter33.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2023 vs 2026

How ZIP 02861 in Pawtucket, RI has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,627 → $2,008

up 23.4%

Income

$73,285 → $83,411

up 13.8%

Population

27,128 → 28,124

up 3.7%

Renter share

36% → 33.3%

-2.7 pts

Bachelor's+

19.2% → 20.8%

+1.6 pts

Median age

38.5 → 37.8

-0.7 yrs

Compared with 2023, rent in ZIP 02861 in Pawtucket, RI has increased by $381 per month, settling near $2,008 after starting the period at $1,627. Median household income grew from $73,285 to $83,411 between 2021 and 2024, a 13.8% shift. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 9.6 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 27,128 to 28,124 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.7% change. About 33.3% of households rent today, against 36% in 2021. Taken together, the five-year picture in ZIP 02861 in Pawtucket, RI reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

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About renting in ZIP 02861

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 02861 covers Pawtucket, RI. The median rent here is $2,008/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,350/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,670/mo.

At 29% of local median household income ($83,411/yr), ZIP 02861 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 02861?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $80,000/year (about $38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,008/mo in ZIP 02861. The local median household income is $83,411/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 02861?

Rent in ZIP 02861 has risen 6.9% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in October 2022.

How does ZIP 02861 compare to other ZIPs in Rhode Island?

ZIP 02861 is one of the more affordable among Rhode Island ZIP codes for rent, ranking #22 of 32 at $2,008/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 02861 changed +6.9%, against a typical +4.8% across the 25 Rhode Island ZIP codes Zillow tracks.