Mortgage vs free-and-clear medians
- With mortgage
- $4,960/yr
- Without mortgage
- $4,779/yr
- Gap
- $181
Statewide · Property tax · ACS 2024
Rhode Island Property Taxes
The average Rhode Island homeowner pays $4,900 a year at an effective rate of 1.21%. That bill is 146% above the U.S. median bill. Compare 5 counties below.
- $4,900
- Avg median tax
- 1.21%
- Effective rate
- #15 of 51
- U.S. rank (burden)
- 5
- Counties
Rhode Island homeowners pay a median of $4,900 a year in property tax, an effective rate of 1.21%, the 15th-highest burden of 51 U.S. jurisdictions (50 states and DC).
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2024), the median Rhode Island homeowner pays $4,900 a year on a home worth $404,200, an effective rate of 1.21%. The bill runs 146% above the $1,993 national median. County medians range $4,683 (Providence County) to $6,648 (Bristol County) across 5 counties.
What the statewide average misses
County medians in Rhode Island run from $4,683 in Providence County to $6,648 (Bristol County). That range is why a statewide figure is a starting point, not a parcel-level estimate.
- $4,683–$6,648 (Bristol County)
- County median-bill range
County medians come from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2024. The statewide effective rate in the hero is median tax divided by median home value.
How small is Rhode Island's share of U.S. property-tax collections?
In Census FY2024, Rhode Island's state and local governments collected $2.8B in property tax, only 0.39% of the national haul (#40 of 51). Spread across 281,002 owner-occupied homes, that haul is about $9,996 per home - 2.0× the ACS median homeowner bill of $4,900. The gap is expected: LF0009 covers all taxable property (including commercial and other non-household parcels), while the ACS median is a household figure.
FY2024 collections: $2.8B · rank #40 · 0.39% of the U.S. state-and-local property-tax haul.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, FY2024, series LF0009 (property tax), government level State and Local (GOVTYPE 001). Amounts are published in thousands of dollars. This is a government-revenue series, not tax, legal, or financial advice, and not a substitute for the ACS homeowner median bill above.
ACS tenure & reporting signals · 2024
Mortgage tenure and zero-tax reporting in Rhode Island
These sub-topics sit on dedicated research and guide pages fleet-wide; here they are computed for Rhode Island from the same ACS tables that power county medians above.
Owners reporting no tax
- All owner-occupied
- 2.7%
- With mortgage
- 1.5%
- Sample (owned homes)
- 93,912
ACS reports what households paid, not approved exemptions. Exemption guide
County effective-rate spread
Published medians span 0.89% in Newport County to 1.35% in Kent County - a 0.46 percentage-point gap across 5 counties.
Appeal guide for when a parcel sits above its county median.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2024), Table B25087 (mortgage status medians) and county tax_distribution aggregates (zero-tax reporting shares). Informational only, not tax or legal advice.
The average median property tax in Rhode Island is $4,900/year, which is 146% above the national average of $1,993. The average effective tax rate is 1.21% on a median home value of $404,200. Taxes range from $4,683 in Providence County to $6,648 (Bristol County).
Read the state signal first
What the data changes in Rhode Island
A rate compares places with different home values. The annual bill shows a typical dollar amount. County spread shows why neither is a parcel estimate.
The clearest local difference
The typical bill sits well above the national median
The statewide median property-tax bill is $4,900 a year, 146% above the $1,993 national median. The Census ACS estimate describes the median homeowner household rather than an individual parcel.
This page is for informational purposes only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. Figures describe median homeowner households reported to the Census Bureau. Individual bills can differ with assessed value, exemptions, special districts, and local overlays. Confirm current rates with your county assessor or a qualified professional before making a decision.
State Average vs National Average
Median Annual Tax
$4,900
+146% vs US avg
Median Home Value
$404,200
+77% vs US avg
Effective Tax Rate
1.21%
+32% vs US avg
Rate-band peers near Rhode Island
Nearest ACS 2024 jurisdictions by effective rate (not geography). Each row names another state so Rhode Island's 1.21% rate is read against real neighbors such as Michigan and Kansas.
| Peer state | Effective rate | Vs Rhode Island | Median bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan Also open Michigan for county spread | 1.25% | Michigan nearly matches Rhode Island | $2,904 |
| Kansas Also open Kansas for county spread | 1.29% | Kansas runs 0.08 pts above Rhode Island | $2,798 |
| Pennsylvania Also open Pennsylvania for county spread | 1.30% | Pennsylvania runs 0.09 pts above Rhode Island | $3,311 |
| Alaska Also open Alaska for county spread | 1.11% | Alaska runs 0.10 pts below Rhode Island | $3,901 |
| Ohio Also open Ohio for county spread | 1.31% | Ohio runs 0.10 pts above Rhode Island | $2,822 |
| Massachusetts Also open Massachusetts for county spread | 1.07% | Massachusetts runs 0.14 pts below Rhode Island | $5,992 |
Nationwide states with similar effective rate & median bill
Two PlainPropertyTax-derived comparison paths for Rhode Island, excluding Rhode Island itself so the link neighborhoods are not self-referential. Median-bill peers exclude the effective-rate peer set so the two axes stay disjoint.
Similar effective rate
Nearest other states by ACS effective rate. Rhode Island: 1.21%.
Similar median bill
Nearest other states by ACS median annual tax. Rhode Island: $4,900/yr. Rate peers are excluded so the two link sets stay distinct.
Where Rhode Island sits among U.S. jurisdictions
Effective property tax rate (median tax ÷ median home value) across the 50 states and DC, ACS 2024.
Where Rhode Island sits among U.S. jurisdictions
Effective rate · ACS 2024 · 50 states and DC
1.21% more affordable than 27% of 51 U.S. jurisdictions
Show national distribution
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more U.S. jurisdictions. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2024
Rhode Island has a higher effective property tax rate than 72% of U.S. jurisdictions (the 50 states and DC), ranking #15 of 51 for property tax burden. Rate neighbors: Michigan (1.25%, nearly level); Kansas (1.29%, 0.08 pts higher than Rhode Island); Pennsylvania (1.30%, 0.09 pts higher than Rhode Island).
Top 5 Lowest Tax Counties
Top 5 Highest Tax Counties
Tax Affordability Score
5.1
Moderate
Based on the average effective tax rate of 1.21% compared to the national average of 0.92%. Rhode Island has property tax rates near the national average.
Very Expensive Very Affordable
How this score is calculated: a 1-10 scale from Rhode Island's 1.21% vs the national 0.92% - read beside Michigan and Kansas before treating the score as band-typical. A ratio at or below 0.5× scores 10, at or above 2.0× scores 1, linear between. Census figures only, not a recommendation or endorsement.
Counties in Rhode Island by tax bill
Ranked from highest median annual bill downward across 5 measured counties. Gold/silver/bronze mark the top three list positions; effective rate is the focal comparison when home values differ.
| # | County | Median tax | Eff. rate | Home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bristol County | $6,648 | 1.29% | $513,800 |
| 2 | Newport County | $5,414 | 0.89% | $609,700 |
| 3 | Washington County | $5,102 | 1.00% | $510,800 |
| 4 | Kent County | $4,957 | 1.35% | $366,100 |
| 5 | Providence County | $4,683 | 1.25% | $373,600 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Rhode Island compare to the national average? ▼
Rhode Island property taxes are 146% above the national average. Homeowners here pay a median of $4,900 per year compared to $1,993 nationally.
What is the average property tax in Rhode Island? ▼
The average median property tax paid in Rhode Island is $4,900 per year, based on ACS 2024 data. The average effective tax rate is 1.21%.
What is the median home value in Rhode Island? ▼
The median home value across Rhode Island is $404,200, compared to $227,791 nationally. Home values directly impact property tax bills since taxes are assessed as a percentage of property value.
How small is Rhode Island's share of U.S. property-tax collections? ▼
In Census FY2024, Rhode Island's state and local governments collected $2.8B in property tax, only 0.39% of the national haul (#40 of 51). Spread across 281,002 owner-occupied homes, that haul is about $9,996 per home - 2.0× the ACS median homeowner bill of $4,900. The gap is expected: LF0009 covers all taxable property (including commercial and other non-household parcels), while the ACS median is a household figure.
Which county in Rhode Island has the lowest property taxes? ▼
Providence County has the lowest median property tax in Rhode Island at $4,683 per year with an effective rate of 1.25%. The highest is Bristol County at $6,648.
Do homeowners with a mortgage pay more property tax in Rhode Island? ▼
ACS 2024 medians show mortgaged owners pay $4,960/yr versus $4,779 for owners without a mortgage, a $181 gap. Our mortgage-gap research page ranks this spread against all states.
What share of Rhode Island owners report paying no property tax? ▼
2.7% of owner-occupied homes in Rhode Island report zero property tax on the ACS survey (1.5% among mortgaged owners). That is a reporting signal, exemptions, caps, or non-levying jurisdictions, not an exemption headcount.
How are property taxes calculated? ▼
Property taxes are calculated by multiplying the assessed value of a property by the local tax rate (mill rate). Rates vary by county, city, and school district. The effective tax rate shown here is the median tax paid divided by the median home value, which provides a standardized comparison across counties.
Can I appeal my property taxes in Rhode Island? ▼
Yes. Every Rhode Island homeowner has the right to appeal their property tax assessment. The process typically starts at your county assessor's office within 30-90 days of receiving your assessment notice. You can challenge the assessed value by providing comparable sales data, evidence of property condition, or errors in the assessment. See our guide on how to appeal property taxes for detailed steps.
What to do with Rhode Island's numbers
Turn the ACS 2024 statewide medians into a county check, an estimate, or an appeal path.
- Rhode Island's ACS 2024 median bill is $4,900/yr at 1.21% (146% above the U.S. median). Open any county below to see how far local bills sit from that statewide figure. County list
- Inside Rhode Island, Providence County posts the lowest median bill at $4,683/yr; Bristol County is highest at $6,648/yr. Open Providence County
- Estimate a parcel bill at Rhode Island's published effective rate, or read the state's assessment and appeal path before treating the statewide median as your budget. State estimator
Statewide medians average across 5 counties; your parcel's assessed value, exemptions, and local levies set the real bill. U.S. Census Bureau ACS · 2024.
Editorial standards and provenance
PlainPropertyTax is rendered directly from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on the Census ACS state-level record for Rhode Island. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-08-09.