Arina P Habich // Shutterstock
Best places to raise a family in Rhode Island
Choosing a place to raise children can be a daunting task for any family. If it takes a village to raise a child, that may just extend all the way to your next-door neighbor, fifth-grade teacher, or volunteer soccer coach. While all parents are looking for a great place to raise their kids, oftentimes this decision means balancing鈥攁nd prioritizing鈥攃ertain community resources and costs.
compiled a list of the best places to raise a family in Rhode Island using data from . Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather. Keep reading to see if where you grew up or currently live made the list.
You may also like:
Most common jobs 150 years ago in Rhode Island
#25. Scituate
- Population: 10,634
- Median home value: $323,000 (87% own)
- Median rent: $1,274 (13% rent)
- Median household income: $96,179
- Top public schools: Clayville School (B+), Hope School (B), Scituate High School (B)
- Pictured: ($950,000, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $323,000 (87% own)
- Median rent: $1,274 (13% rent)
- Median household income: $96,179
- Top public schools: Clayville School (B+), Hope School (B), Scituate High School (B)
- Pictured: ($950,000, 4 bedrooms)
#24. Narragansett Pier
- Population: 3,594
- Median home value: $542,200 (55% own)
- Median rent: $1,328 (45% rent)
- Median household income: $58,875
- Top public schools: Narragansett High School (A), Narragansett Elementary School (A), Narragansett Pier School (A-)
- Top private schools: Middlebridge School (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($2.9 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $542,200 (55% own)
- Median rent: $1,328 (45% rent)
- Median household income: $58,875
- Top public schools: Narragansett High School (A), Narragansett Elementary School (A), Narragansett Pier School (A-)
- Top private schools: Middlebridge School (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($2.9 million, 4 bedrooms)
#23. Newport
- Population: 24,663
- Median home value: $448,800 (43% own)
- Median rent: $1,236 (57% rent)
- Median household income: $67,102
- Top public schools: Rogers High School (B), Frank E. Thompson Middle School (B-), Claiborne Pell Elementary School (C+)
- Top private schools: St. Michael's Country Day School (A)
- Pictured: ($10.9 million, 10 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $448,800 (43% own)
- Median rent: $1,236 (57% rent)
- Median household income: $67,102
- Top public schools: Rogers High School (B), Frank E. Thompson Middle School (B-), Claiborne Pell Elementary School (C+)
- Top private schools: St. Michael's Country Day School (A)
- Pictured: ($10.9 million, 10 bedrooms)
#22. Charlestown
- Population: 7,799
- Median home value: $330,700 (84% own)
- Median rent: $1,232 (16% rent)
- Median household income: $78,209
- Top public schools: Hope Valley Elementary School (A-), Ashaway Elementary School (A-), Charlestown Elementary School (A-)
- Pictured: ($3.0 million, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $330,700 (84% own)
- Median rent: $1,232 (16% rent)
- Median household income: $78,209
- Top public schools: Hope Valley Elementary School (A-), Ashaway Elementary School (A-), Charlestown Elementary School (A-)
- Pictured: ($3.0 million, 3 bedrooms)
#21. Greenville
- Population: 8,695
- Median home value: $285,300 (80% own)
- Median rent: $1,177 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $84,701
- Top public schools: William Winsor School (B+), Anna McCabe Elementary School (B+), Vincent J. Gallagher Middle School (B+)
- Top private schools: St. Philip School (unavailable), Overbrook Academy (unavailable), Cadence Academy Preschool - Smithfield (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($459,900, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $285,300 (80% own)
- Median rent: $1,177 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $84,701
- Top public schools: William Winsor School (B+), Anna McCabe Elementary School (B+), Vincent J. Gallagher Middle School (B+)
- Top private schools: St. Philip School (unavailable), Overbrook Academy (unavailable), Cadence Academy Preschool - Smithfield (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($459,900, 3 bedrooms)
You may also like:
Counties with the most born-and-bred residents in Rhode Island
#20. Valley Falls
- Population: 11,882
- Median home value: $239,000 (68% own)
- Median rent: $876 (32% rent)
- Median household income: $83,090
- Top public schools: North Cumberland Middle School (A), Joseph L. McCourt Middle School (A-), Blackstone Valley Prep Mayoral Academy Elementary School No. 2 (A-)
- Pictured: ($475,000, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $239,000 (68% own)
- Median rent: $876 (32% rent)
- Median household income: $83,090
- Top public schools: North Cumberland Middle School (A), Joseph L. McCourt Middle School (A-), Blackstone Valley Prep Mayoral Academy Elementary School No. 2 (A-)
- Pictured: ($475,000, 3 bedrooms)
#19. Glocester
- Population: 10,141
- Median home value: $292,000 (87% own)
- Median rent: $1,087 (13% rent)
- Median household income: $89,391
- Top public schools: Fogarty Memorial (A-), Clayville School (B+), William Winsor School (B+)
- Top private schools: Harmony Hill School (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($535,000, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $292,000 (87% own)
- Median rent: $1,087 (13% rent)
- Median household income: $89,391
- Top public schools: Fogarty Memorial (A-), Clayville School (B+), William Winsor School (B+)
- Top private schools: Harmony Hill School (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($535,000, 3 bedrooms)
#18. Cranston
- Population: 81,254
- Median home value: $243,500 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,070 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $72,017
- Top public schools: Garden City School (B), Stadium School (B), Cranston High School West (B)
- Top private schools: Immaculate Conception Catholic Regional School (unavailable), St. Mary Elementary School (unavailable), St. Paul School (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($895,000, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $243,500 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,070 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $72,017
- Top public schools: Garden City School (B), Stadium School (B), Cranston High School West (B)
- Top private schools: Immaculate Conception Catholic Regional School (unavailable), St. Mary Elementary School (unavailable), St. Paul School (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($895,000, 5 bedrooms)
#17. Smithfield
- Population: 21,693
- Median home value: $288,700 (79% own)
- Median rent: $916 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $85,337
- Top public schools: Raymond C. LaPerche School (A-), Dr. Halliwell School (A-), William Winsor School (B+)
- Top private schools: St. Philip School (unavailable), Overbrook Academy (unavailable), The Stork's Nest Child Academy - Smithfield (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($815,000, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $288,700 (79% own)
- Median rent: $916 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $85,337
- Top public schools: Raymond C. LaPerche School (A-), Dr. Halliwell School (A-), William Winsor School (B+)
- Top private schools: St. Philip School (unavailable), Overbrook Academy (unavailable), The Stork's Nest Child Academy - Smithfield (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($815,000, 3 bedrooms)
#16. Middletown
- Population: 16,018
- Median home value: $379,100 (54% own)
- Median rent: $1,372 (46% rent)
- Median household income: $73,609
- Top public schools: Middletown High School (B+), Joseph H. Gaudet School (B+), Aquidneck School (B)
- Top private schools: St. George's School (A+), All Saints STEAM Academy (unavailable), Silveira Kindergarten & Nursery School (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($1.9 million, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $379,100 (54% own)
- Median rent: $1,372 (46% rent)
- Median household income: $73,609
- Top public schools: Middletown High School (B+), Joseph H. Gaudet School (B+), Aquidneck School (B)
- Top private schools: St. George's School (A+), All Saints STEAM Academy (unavailable), Silveira Kindergarten & Nursery School (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($1.9 million, 3 bedrooms)
You may also like:
Highest-rated beer in Rhode Island
#15. West Greenwich
- Population: 6,224
- Median home value: $343,700 (82% own)
- Median rent: $2,114 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $119,688
- Top public schools: Exeter-West Greenwich Regional (A-), Metcalf School (B+), Exeter-West Greenwich Regional Junior (B+)
- Top private schools: Greenwich Village School (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($679,000, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $343,700 (82% own)
- Median rent: $2,114 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $119,688
- Top public schools: Exeter-West Greenwich Regional (A-), Metcalf School (B+), Exeter-West Greenwich Regional Junior (B+)
- Top private schools: Greenwich Village School (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($679,000, 3 bedrooms)
#14. Bristol
- Population: 22,145
- Median home value: $337,700 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,066 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $72,610
- Top public schools: Rockwell School (A), Guiteras Elementary School (A), Colt Andrews School (A-)
- Top private schools: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($2.9 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $337,700 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,066 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $72,610
- Top public schools: Rockwell School (A), Guiteras Elementary School (A), Colt Andrews School (A-)
- Top private schools: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($2.9 million, 4 bedrooms)
#13. Lincoln
- Population: 21,731
- Median home value: $319,800 (69% own)
- Median rent: $1,040 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $81,045
- Top public schools: Blackstone Valley Prep Mid2 (A), Joseph L. McCourt Middle School (A-), Lincoln Central Elementary School (A-)
- Top private schools: The Spurwink School (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($1.3 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $319,800 (69% own)
- Median rent: $1,040 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $81,045
- Top public schools: Blackstone Valley Prep Mid2 (A), Joseph L. McCourt Middle School (A-), Lincoln Central Elementary School (A-)
- Top private schools: The Spurwink School (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($1.3 million, 5 bedrooms)
#12. North Smithfield
- Population: 12,413
- Median home value: $295,900 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,064 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $78,617
- Top public schools: North Smithfield Middle School (A-), North Smithfield Elementary School (A-), North Smithfield High School (A-)
- Pictured: ($664,900, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $295,900 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,064 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $78,617
- Top public schools: North Smithfield Middle School (A-), North Smithfield Elementary School (A-), North Smithfield High School (A-)
- Pictured: ($664,900, 5 bedrooms)
#11. Exeter
- Population: 6,664
- Median home value: $336,800 (81% own)
- Median rent: $991 (19% rent)
- Median household income: $84,919
- Top public schools: Exeter-West Greenwich Regional (A-), Curtis Corner Middle School (B+), Metcalf School (B+)
- Pictured: ($949,900, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $336,800 (81% own)
- Median rent: $991 (19% rent)
- Median household income: $84,919
- Top public schools: Exeter-West Greenwich Regional (A-), Curtis Corner Middle School (B+), Metcalf School (B+)
- Pictured: ($949,900, 4 bedrooms)
You may also like:
Most common dog breeds available for adoption in Rhode Island
#10. Cumberland
- Population: 34,846
- Median home value: $288,200 (77% own)
- Median rent: $954 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $91,726
- Top public schools: Community School (A), North Cumberland Middle School (A), Blackstone Valley Prep High School (A-)
- Top private schools: Mercymount Country Day School (A+)
- Pictured: ($769,900, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $288,200 (77% own)
- Median rent: $954 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $91,726
- Top public schools: Community School (A), North Cumberland Middle School (A), Blackstone Valley Prep High School (A-)
- Top private schools: Mercymount Country Day School (A+)
- Pictured: ($769,900, 4 bedrooms)
#9. Cumberland Hill
- Population: 8,249
- Median home value: $262,100 (80% own)
- Median rent: $921 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $89,456
- Top public schools: Community School (A), North Cumberland Middle School (A), Blackstone Valley Prep High School (A-)
- Top private schools: Cherry Blossom Journey School (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($389,900, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $262,100 (80% own)
- Median rent: $921 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $89,456
- Top public schools: Community School (A), North Cumberland Middle School (A), Blackstone Valley Prep High School (A-)
- Top private schools: Cherry Blossom Journey School (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($389,900, 3 bedrooms)
#8. Narragansett
- Population: 15,500
- Median home value: $444,300 (70% own)
- Median rent: $1,389 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $86,920
- Top public schools: Narragansett High School (A), Narragansett Elementary School (A), Narragansett Pier School (A-)
- Top private schools: Quest Montessori School (A+), Middlebridge School (unavailable), Ocean Tides School (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($5.0 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $444,300 (70% own)
- Median rent: $1,389 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $86,920
- Top public schools: Narragansett High School (A), Narragansett Elementary School (A), Narragansett Pier School (A-)
- Top private schools: Quest Montessori School (A+), Middlebridge School (unavailable), Ocean Tides School (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($5.0 million, 4 bedrooms)
#7. South Kingstown
- Population: 30,652
- Median home value: $371,400 (73% own)
- Median rent: $1,287 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $89,917
- Top public schools: Kingston Hill Academy (A+), Narragansett High School (A), Narragansett Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: The Prout School (A-), Child Development Center at University of Rhode Island (A), Monsignor Matthew Clarke Catholic Regional School (A)
- Pictured: ($2.8 million, 9 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $371,400 (73% own)
- Median rent: $1,287 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $89,917
- Top public schools: Kingston Hill Academy (A+), Narragansett High School (A), Narragansett Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: The Prout School (A-), Child Development Center at University of Rhode Island (A), Monsignor Matthew Clarke Catholic Regional School (A)
- Pictured: ($2.8 million, 9 bedrooms)
#6. Portsmouth
- Population: 17,363
- Median home value: $386,600 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,450 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $100,453
- Top public schools: Melville School (A), Portsmouth High School (A-), Portsmouth Middle School (A-)
- Top private schools: Portsmouth Abbey School (A+), The Pennfield School (A), St. Philomena School (A-)
- Pictured: ($3.9 million, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $386,600 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,450 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $100,453
- Top public schools: Melville School (A), Portsmouth High School (A-), Portsmouth Middle School (A-)
- Top private schools: Portsmouth Abbey School (A+), The Pennfield School (A), St. Philomena School (A-)
- Pictured: ($3.9 million, 3 bedrooms)
You may also like:
Highest-rated stouts in Rhode Island
#5. North Kingstown
- Population: 26,235
- Median home value: $350,400 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,027 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $91,796
- Top public schools: Narragansett High School (A), Wickford Middle School (A), Hamilton School (A)
- Top private schools: West Bay Christian Academy (A), South County Montessori School (unavailable), Cadence Academy Preschool - North Kingstown (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($2.5 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $350,400 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,027 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $91,796
- Top public schools: Narragansett High School (A), Wickford Middle School (A), Hamilton School (A)
- Top private schools: West Bay Christian Academy (A), South County Montessori School (unavailable), Cadence Academy Preschool - North Kingstown (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($2.5 million, 4 bedrooms)
#4. Jamestown
- Population: 5,494
- Median home value: $656,800 (83% own)
- Median rent: $1,660 (17% rent)
- Median household income: $111,110
- Top public schools: Lawn School (A-)
- Pictured: ($6.0 million, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $656,800 (83% own)
- Median rent: $1,660 (17% rent)
- Median household income: $111,110
- Top public schools: Lawn School (A-)
- Pictured: ($6.0 million, 3 bedrooms)
#3. Kingston
- Population: 6,513
- Median home value: $355,900 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,179 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $96,775
- Top public schools: South Kingstown High School (A-), Peace Dale School (A-), Broad Rock Middle School (A-)
- Top private schools: Child Development Center at University of Rhode Island (A)
- Pictured: ($499,000, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $355,900 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,179 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $96,775
- Top public schools: South Kingstown High School (A-), Peace Dale School (A-), Broad Rock Middle School (A-)
- Top private schools: Child Development Center at University of Rhode Island (A)
- Pictured: ($499,000, 3 bedrooms)
#2. East Greenwich
- Population: 13,081
- Median home value: $437,500 (77% own)
- Median rent: $916 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $114,147
- Top public schools: East Greenwich High School (A+), Frenchtown School (A+), Meadowbrook Farms School (A)
- Top private schools: Our Lady of Mercy Regional School (unavailable), The Stork's Nest Child Academy - East Greenwich (unavailable), The Village Lower School (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($1.5 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $437,500 (77% own)
- Median rent: $916 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $114,147
- Top public schools: East Greenwich High School (A+), Frenchtown School (A+), Meadowbrook Farms School (A)
- Top private schools: Our Lady of Mercy Regional School (unavailable), The Stork's Nest Child Academy - East Greenwich (unavailable), The Village Lower School (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($1.5 million, 4 bedrooms)
#1. Barrington
- Population: 16,131
- Median home value: $433,200 (89% own)
- Median rent: $1,318 (11% rent)
- Median household income: $125,431
- Top public schools: Barrington High School (A+), Nayatt School (A+), Barrington Middle School (A)
- Top private schools: St. Andrews School (A+), Barrington Christian Academy (A), St. Luke Elementary School (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($3.5 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $433,200 (89% own)
- Median rent: $1,318 (11% rent)
- Median household income: $125,431
- Top public schools: Barrington High School (A+), Nayatt School (A+), Barrington Middle School (A)
- Top private schools: St. Andrews School (A+), Barrington Christian Academy (A), St. Luke Elementary School (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($3.5 million, 5 bedrooms)
You may also like:
Best counties to retire to in Rhode Island
