Best Counties in Rhode Island — 2026 Rankings
5 of 5 counties scored across 12 dimensions
5
5 scored
50/100
composite score
58.6/100
36.7—58.6
lowest to highest
State Overview
Understanding County Scores in Rhode Island
Rhode Island Matches the National Livability Average
Rhode Island maintains a composite score of 50.1, placing it just 0.1 points above the national median of 50.0. While it ranks competitively on the East Coast, the state's performance varies significantly between its high-income coastal enclaves and its more affordable urban centers.
Exceptional Income Levels and Health Outcomes
The Ocean State shines in individual prosperity with a massive income score of 92.7 and a health score of 92.0. These metrics suggest residents benefit from high earning potential and access to quality medical infrastructure compared to much of the country.
High Costs and Taxes Squeeze Residents
Affordability remains the state's primary hurdle, evidenced by a very low cost score of 7.2 and a tax score of 25.2. These figures indicate that the state is significantly more expensive than the national average, requiring a high income just to maintain a standard lifestyle.
Coastal Resilience in Bristol and Washington Counties
Bristol County leads the state with a composite score of 58.6, driven by a near-perfect income score of 97.7. Washington (55.9) and Newport (52.2) counties follow, offering slightly better tax profiles while maintaining the high income levels characteristic of the region.
A High-Reward State for Top-Tier Earners
Rhode Island is an ideal destination for high-earning professionals who value health and community over low taxes. With its exceptional 92.0 health score and robust income potential, it provides a high-quality life for those who can navigate the state's expensive cost of entry.
All County Rankings in Rhode Island
Search, sort, and filter all 5 ranked counties
Showing 1–5 of 5 counties
| Rank | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bristol County | 58.6 | 17.8 | 6 | 97.7 | 75.6 | 96.3 | 84.5 | 80.6 | 86 | 58.7 | 77.2 | ||
| 2 | Washington County | 55.9 | 34.1 | 7.8 | 96 | 73.3 | 97.5 | 71.2 | 36 | 35.2 | 65.1 | 65.6 | ||
| 3 | Newport County | 52.2 | 41.4 | 3.9 | 95.6 | 56.7 | 98.3 | 55.2 | 63.6 | 49.6 | 68 | 77 | ||
| 4 | Kent County | 47.2 | 14.4 | 8.8 | 92.5 | 46.2 | 91.2 | 67.1 | 30.6 | 86 | 62.4 | 79.3 | ||
| 5 | Providence County | 36.7 | 18.2 | 9.4 | 81.8 | 26 | 76.6 | 48.5 | 6.3 | 68.2 | 59.3 | 71.2 |
Bristol County
Washington County
Newport County
Kent County
Providence County
Frequently Asked Questions about Counties in Rhode Island
Common questions about county rankings and scores in Rhode Island.
What is the best county in Rhode Island?
Bristol County is the top-ranked county in Rhode Island with a CountyScore of 58.6/100. It leads the state across the available scoring dimensions, which include Property Tax, Cost of Living, Income & Jobs, Safety, Health, Schools, Disaster Risk, Water Quality, Weather & Climate, Soil Quality, Lawn Care, Farmers Markets.
How many counties are ranked in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island has 5 counties in total. Of those, 5 have been ranked with a composite score based on available data dimensions. The remaining 0 counties do not yet have enough data for a full score.
What factors determine a county's score?
Each county is scored 0–100 across up to eight data dimensions: Property Tax, Cost of Living, Income & Jobs, Safety, Health, Schools, Disaster Risk, and Water Quality. The composite score is a weighted average of whichever dimensions have data. Currently available dimensions are: Property Tax, Cost of Living, Income & Jobs, Safety, Health, Schools, Disaster Risk, Water Quality, Weather & Climate, Soil Quality, Lawn Care, Farmers Markets. Higher scores are always better — a score of 100 represents the best possible performance for that dimension.
What is the average county score in Rhode Island?
The average composite CountyScore across all ranked counties in Rhode Island is 50/100. The national average is 50/100, so Rhode Island counties score 0 points above the national average.
How does Rhode Island compare to other states?
Rhode Island's average county score of 50/100 is 0 points above the national average of 50/100. You can compare Rhode Island counties to counties in any other state using the county detail pages or the CountyScore compare tool.
Explore County Data by Category
Dive deeper into specific dimensions for counties in Rhode Island.
Best counties in other states
Data: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, 2019–2023 ACS — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.