Property Tax in Rhode Island by County
Homeowners in Rhode Island pay a median of $4,854 a year in real estate taxes on a median home value of $368,800, according to the US Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, 2023. The table below covers all 5 counties in the state for which the Census Bureau publishes figures. That state median is about 63% higher than the US median of $2,969.
The extremes inside Rhode Island are far apart: Bristol County, RI records the state's highest median bill at $6,483, while Providence County, RI records the lowest at $4,661. Home values explain much of that distance, with local district rates explaining the rest.
Looking across the state, 5 of 5 counties with published data have a median tax bill above the US median of $2,969. The middle county figure in Rhode Island — the median of the county medians — is $4,954, and county medians range from $4,661 in Providence County to $6,483 in Bristol County, a spread that shows how local the tax burden is even within one state.
For orientation: the county with the most residents is Providence County (658,977 people), and the county covering the most land is Providence County (409 square miles). Their own tax and value medians are in the table below.
The state's population centres are Providence County (658,977 residents; median tax $4,661 on a median value of $339,100), Kent County (170,658; $4,903 on $333,900) and Washington County (130,073; $4,954 on $469,800).
Rhode Island counties: median property tax
| County | Median tax paid | Median home value | Derived rate* | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol County, RI | $6,483 | $468,000 | 1.39% | 50,568 |
| Newport County, RI | $5,345 | $559,700 | 0.95% | 85,095 |
| Washington County, RI | $4,954 | $469,800 | 1.05% | 130,073 |
| Kent County, RI | $4,903 | $333,900 | 1.47% | 170,658 |
| Providence County, RI | $4,661 | $339,100 | 1.38% | 658,977 |
*Derived rate = median taxes paid ÷ median home value — an estimate from two survey medians, not an official rate. Counties in bold detail pages are linked; all figures: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, 2023.
How assessment and appeals work in Rhode Island
Property tax in Rhode Island is administered locally. As in almost every state, the process starts with an assessment: a local assessor (in most places a county official) estimates the market value of your property. That value, minus any exemptions you qualify for — homestead exemptions are the most common — is multiplied by the combined rates of the local taxing districts where the property sits: typically the county, a municipality, a school district, and sometimes special districts such as fire or water districts.
If your assessment notice shows a value that looks too high, you can usually appeal. Start by asking the assessor's office for your property record card and checking it for simple errors — wrong square footage, an extra bathroom, a missed exemption. If the value still looks wrong, gather evidence: recent sales of similar homes nearby, or an independent appraisal. Appeals go to the local review board named on your notice, and the deadline on that notice controls — appeal windows are typically short.
One caution applies everywhere in Rhode Island: the median figures on this page describe the typical owner-occupied household across the whole state. Your own bill depends on your assessed value, your exemptions, and your exact combination of local districts, so use these numbers as a benchmark and confirm specifics with your county assessor.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median property tax in Rhode Island?
The median real estate tax paid in Rhode Island is $4,854 per year, on a median home value of $368,800 (US Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, 2023).
Which Rhode Island county has the highest property taxes?
Among counties with published Census data, Bristol County has the highest median real estate taxes paid at $6,483 per year.
Which Rhode Island county has the lowest property taxes?
Among counties with published Census data, Providence County has the lowest median real estate taxes paid at $4,661 per year.
How do I appeal a property tax assessment in Rhode Island?
Assessments in Rhode Island are handled locally, usually by the county assessor or an equivalent local office. If you believe your assessed value is too high, request your property record card, check it for errors, and file an appeal with the local board named on your assessment notice before the deadline printed on that notice — appeal windows are short, often 30 to 90 days.