Housing affordability index in Rhode Island
Housing affordability index in Rhode Island: puts one number on the housing question: 26.6% of the state's median household income goes to principal and interest on a median-priced home at today's rate.
30-year fixed rate used: 6.76% (observed 2026-09-10, FRED MORTGAGE30US).
Share of income
26.6%
principal + interest
Monthly payment
$1,797
on a $345,962 home
Median income
$81,219
households, ACS 5-year
| Rank | County | Share of income | Monthly P&I |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newport County | 32.6% | $2,616 |
| 2 | Washington County | 27.3% | $2,265 |
| 3 | Providence County | 26.7% | $1,613 |
| 4 | Bristol County | 26.1% | $2,305 |
| 5 | Kent County | 22.2% | $1,589 |
Methodology
Every county figure for Rhode Island uses the county's own median home value and median household income from the Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates, a 20% deposit, and the current 30-year fixed rate from FRED (MORTGAGE30US) amortised over 30 years.
The share shown is annualised principal and interest divided by median household income. Property tax, insurance and HOA dues are excluded so the comparison between counties stays like-for-like.
Counties without both a published home value and a published income are left out entirely rather than filled with an estimate, so the table is shorter than the county list in some states.
Sources: FRED series MORTGAGE30US, Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey; U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2022.