Rhode Island Property Tax Rates 2026
Property taxes in Rhode Island are set by each individual city and town — the state collects no property tax itself. Rates are expressed as mills (dollars per $1,000 of assessed value), and they vary dramatically from one community to the next.
A home worth $400,000 might cost you $4,600/year in property taxes in one town and $9,800/year in a neighboring one. If you're buying property in Rhode Island, understanding these rates is as important as comparing home prices.
How Rhode Island Property Taxes Work
Rhode Island uses a mill rate system:
Most Rhode Island municipalities assess property at 100% of market value (called full value assessment), though some older assessments may be at lower ratios. Always confirm the assessment ratio with the town assessor.
Example:
- Home market value: $450,000
- Assessed value: $450,000 (at 100%)
- Mill rate: 18.00
- Annual tax: (450,000 ÷ 1,000) × 18.00 = $8,100/year
Rhode Island Property Tax Rates by City and Town 2026
Rates below are based on 2024–2025 certified tax rolls. 2026 rates are typically set by each town council between June and August. Rates are for residential real property.
| Municipality | Approx. Rate (per $1,000) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Providence | $24.56 | Highest major city; homestead exemption available |
| Woonsocket | $25.28 | Among the highest in RI |
| Central Falls | ~$22.50 | Small city, limited commercial tax base |
| Pawtucket | $20.89 | Declining from peak rates |
| North Providence | $22.61 | High relative to services |
| Johnston | $23.45 | Large commercial area helps, still high residential |
| Cranston | $18.90 | Mid-range for a large city |
| East Providence | $19.79 | Improving infrastructure investment |
| West Warwick | $28.17 | One of the highest in RI |
| Warwick | $18.74 | Large city, balanced tax base |
| North Kingstown | $14.21 | Strong commercial corridor lowers residential burden |
| South Kingstown | $13.61 | University of RI adds tax base |
| Narragansett | $9.87 | Low rate; high-value coastal properties |
| Westerly | $12.45 | Tourism and commercial base |
| Bristol | $12.87 | Historic town, moderate rate |
| Barrington | $16.02 | High home values, excellent schools |
| East Greenwich | $14.51 | Affluent town, solid services |
| Smithfield | $15.40 | Mid-range suburban |
| Lincoln | $14.88 | Business parks help tax base |
| Cumberland | $14.50 | Growing suburb |
| North Smithfield | $14.20 | Rural suburban feel |
| Gloucester | $16.10 | Rural, limited commercial base |
| Burrillville | $17.90 | Rural community |
| Scituate | $18.50 | Rural residential |
| Foster | $19.60 | Rural, very limited commercial |
| Exeter | $16.75 | Rural, agricultural exemptions apply |
| Richmond | $16.40 | Rural, farm properties |
| Hopkinton | $17.10 | Rural community |
| Charlestown | $8.79 | Very low — coastal/vacation property community |
| Jamestown | $5.54 | Extremely low rate; very high property values |
| Newport | $11.48 | Low rate offset by extremely high home prices |
| Middletown | $12.35 | Newport County, moderate rate |
| Portsmouth | $13.12 | Aquidneck Island, growing community |
| Little Compton | $7.26 | Very low; rural coastal, high values |
| Tiverton | $16.40 | East Bay community |
| Warren | $17.23 | Small East Bay town |
| Bristol | $12.87 | Historic, balanced |
Partner — Apartments.com
Find apartments, condos and houses for rent across Rhode Island.
Highest Property Tax Rates in Rhode Island
The communities with the highest residential property tax rates tend to be older urban centers with:
- Large non-taxable property (universities, hospitals, government buildings)
- High concentrations of lower-value residential housing
- Legacy infrastructure costs
- Smaller commercial tax bases
Top 5 highest rates (approximate):
1. West Warwick — ~$28.17/$1,000
Woonsocket — ~$25.28/$1,000
Providence — ~$24.56/$1,000
Johnston — ~$23.45/$1,000
North Providence — ~$22.61/$1,000
Lowest Property Tax Rates in Rhode Island
Lower-rate communities typically have high property values (coastal vacation areas), strong commercial tax bases, or both.
Top 5 lowest rates (approximate):
1. Jamestown — ~$5.54/$1,000
Little Compton — ~$7.26/$1,000
Charlestown — ~$8.79/$1,000
Narragansett — ~$9.87/$1,000
Newport — ~$11.48/$1,000
Important caveat: A low mill rate doesn't mean a low tax bill if home values are high. Newport's $11.48 rate on a $1.2M home produces a $13,776 annual tax bill — higher than most towns with double the rate.
Rhode Island Homestead Exemption
Several Rhode Island municipalities offer a homestead exemption that reduces the taxable assessed value for owner-occupied primary residences. This can meaningfully lower your tax bill.
Providence homestead exemption: Reduces taxable value by a set percentage for owner-occupied homes. Homeowners must apply — it's not automatic.
Other exemptions available in RI:
- Senior/elderly exemption — reduced assessment or flat dollar reduction for homeowners 65+
- Veteran's exemption — property tax reduction for qualifying veterans
- Disability exemption — available in most municipalities
- Low-income elderly freeze — some towns freeze assessed value for qualifying seniors
Contact your town tax assessor for specific exemption amounts and application deadlines. Most exemptions require annual renewal.
How Rhode Island Property Taxes Compare Nationally
Rhode Island has the 13th highest effective property tax rate in the United States, according to recent Tax Foundation analysis. The effective rate (taxes as a percentage of home value) averages around 1.5–1.6% statewide.
| State | Avg. Effective Rate |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | 2.23% |
| Illinois | 2.08% |
| Connecticut | 1.73% |
| Rhode Island | ~1.55% |
| Massachusetts | 1.12% |
| National Average | ~1.10% |
Rhode Island is notably higher than Massachusetts, which surprises many buyers moving across the border. Connecticut is higher still.
What Do Rhode Island Property Taxes Pay For?
Property taxes in Rhode Island fund:
- Public schools (largest share — typically 50–65% of local budgets)
- Municipal services (fire, police, roads, parks)
- County-level services (Rhode Island has no functioning county governments — towns handle everything)
- Debt service on bonds for schools, infrastructure, and facilities
Higher-rate cities often have older infrastructure, legacy pension obligations, and schools with greater needs. Lower-rate coastal towns may rely more on state aid or have simpler service profiles.
How to Appeal Your Rhode Island Property Assessment
If you believe your property is over-assessed (assessed higher than market value), you can appeal:
File a tax appeal form with your local tax assessor — deadline is typically within 90 days of the tax bill
Request an informal review — meet with the assessor's office with comparables (recently sold similar homes)
Formal appeal to the Assessment Board of Review if informal doesn't resolve it
Superior Court as a final step
A successful appeal reduces your assessed value and your tax bill going forward. If your home is assessed at $500,000 but comparable homes sold for $420,000, you have a strong case.
Many homeowners don't know this option exists. About 1–3% of RI property owners appeal each year, and a significant portion win reductions.
Tips for Homebuyers Evaluating Property Taxes
- Always calculate the actual dollar amount, not just the rate. A $200K condo in Providence at $24.56/$1,000 = $4,912/year. A $600K house in North Kingstown at $14.21/$1,000 = $8,526/year.
- Check for pending reassessments — some towns haven't done a full revaluation in years, meaning assessed values may be far below current market. A new revaluation can significantly change your bill.
- Ask about the homestead exemption before you close — know what you qualify for.
- Factor in all municipal costs — some lower-tax towns have higher water/sewer fees or fire district assessments.
- Look at the town's financial health — a town with budget problems may be forced to raise rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the property tax rate in Providence, RI?
Providence's residential property tax rate is approximately $24.56 per $1,000 of assessed value. On a $300,000 home, that's roughly $7,368/year. A homestead exemption is available for owner-occupants and can significantly reduce the bill.
What town in Rhode Island has the lowest property taxes?
Jamestown has one of the lowest mill rates in Rhode Island at approximately $5.54/$1,000, followed by Little Compton (~$7.26) and Charlestown (~$8.79). However, home prices in these communities are also high.
How do I find my property assessment in Rhode Island?
Visit your town's tax assessor website or use the statewide database at riassessors.net to look up any property in Rhode Island.
Are Rhode Island property taxes deductible?
Yes — Rhode Island property taxes are deductible on your federal income tax return (up to the $10,000 SALT cap). They are also fully deductible on your Rhode Island state income tax return, with no cap.
When are Rhode Island property taxes due?
Due dates vary by municipality. Most towns bill quarterly or semi-annually. Providence bills quarterly with due dates in July, October, January, and April. Check with your specific town assessor.
Tax rates change annually. Always verify current rates directly with your town's tax assessor before making financial decisions. This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute tax or financial advice.