CountyScore

Bristol County

Rhode Island · RI

#2 in Rhode Island
65.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Bristol County, Rhode Island

Bristol County outperforms national average

With a composite score of 65.5, Bristol County ranks well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top third of U.S. counties. This 31% advantage over the national midpoint reflects a county with strong fundamentals across multiple dimensions of livability.

Second strongest county in Rhode Island

Bristol County's 65.5 score edges out the state average of 63.2, making it the second-best performing county in Rhode Island. Only Newport County ranks higher, but Bristol delivers comparable livability with different strengths.

Health and resilience lead the way

Bristol County excels with a health score of 83.7 and an exceptional risk score of 80.6, reflecting strong preventive care and low exposure to natural disasters and climate threats. These twin strengths are reinforced by solid income ($110,926 median household) and moderate tax burden (1.385% effective rate), creating a stable foundation for families and professionals.

Housing affordability remains tight

The cost score of 52.1 and median home value of $468,000 reveal that Bristol County's strength in income doesn't fully translate to affordability. While rents are moderate at $1,348/month, homeownership requires meaningful capital, making it less accessible for first-time buyers.

Ideal for health-conscious, established families

Bristol County suits professionals and families with stable incomes seeking excellent health outcomes and natural disaster protection without premium coastal costs. If you prioritize wellbeing and resilience over cutting-edge affordability, this county delivers solid livability across the board.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax63.3Cost52.1SafetyComing SoonHealth83.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome55.8Risk80.6WaterComing Soon
🏛63.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠52.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼55.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤83.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡80.6
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Bristol County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Mississippi County
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Bulloch County
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Marshall County
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Deep Dives

Bristol County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Bristol County

via TaxByCounty

Bristol pays nearly 3x the national average

Bristol County's effective tax rate of 1.385% is significantly higher than the national median of 0.84%, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. counties for property tax burden. The median property tax here is $6,483—more than double the national median of $2,690—despite having a median home value only 66% higher than the nation's.

Second-highest tax burden in Rhode Island

Bristol County ranks second among Rhode Island's five counties in effective tax rate at 1.385%, surpassed only by Kent County at 1.468%. This exceeds the state average effective rate of 1.248% by 0.137 percentage points, contributing to Bristol's median property tax of $6,483 compared to the state average of $5,269.

Bristol homeowners pay more than most neighbors

Bristol's 1.385% effective rate sits between Newport County's 0.955% and Kent County's 1.468%, making it a middle-to-high tax area regionally. Despite having a median home value ($468,000) similar to Washington County ($469,800), Bristol residents pay $1,529 more annually in property taxes due to its higher tax rate.

Typical Bristol homeowner pays $6,483 yearly

On Bristol's median home value of $468,000, the effective tax rate of 1.385% translates to an estimated annual property tax of $6,483. For homeowners with mortgages, average taxes climb to $6,665, while those owning outright typically pay around $6,021.

Appeal your assessment—many are overvalued

Across Rhode Island, significant numbers of homeowners are assessed above fair market value and never challenge it. If you believe your property is overassessed relative to recent sales in your area, filing a tax appeal could reduce your annual burden—potentially saving hundreds of dollars yearly.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Bristol County

via CostByCounty

Bristol renters beat the national burden

At 14.6%, Bristol County's rent-to-income ratio sits well below the national average, meaning renters here spend less of their paycheck on housing than typical Americans. The county's median household income of $110,926 substantially outpaces the national median of $74,755, giving residents more breathing room in their budgets.

Most affordable county in Rhode Island

Bristol County ranks as Rhode Island's most housing-affordable county, with a rent-to-income ratio of 14.6% compared to the state average of 17.0%. This nearly 2.5-point advantage means Bristol renters keep more of their income for other expenses than their neighbors across the state.

Lower rent, higher income than peers

Bristol's median rent of $1,348 is slightly below the state average of $1,362, while its median household income of $110,926 tops Washington County ($102,478) and Newport County ($100,859). This combination—steady wages paired with reasonable housing costs—makes Bristol a relative bargain in southern New England.

Where Bristol housing dollars go

Renters in Bristol spend about $1,348 monthly, while homeowners pay $2,080—together consuming roughly 27% of household income for housing. The median home value of $468,000 reflects a stable market where mortgage costs remain manageable relative to local incomes.

Consider Bristol for balanced living

If you're weighing Rhode Island counties, Bristol offers the rare combination of above-average income and below-average housing burden. Renters and homeowners alike will find more financial flexibility here than in Newport County or Providence County.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Bristol County

via IncomeByCounty

Bristol County earns 48% above US average

Bristol County's median household income of $110,926 significantly outpaces the national median of $74,755, placing households here in the upper tier of US earnings. This $36,171 income advantage reflects a prosperous, affluent community compared to the typical American household.

Strongest earners in Rhode Island

Bristol County ranks first among Rhode Island's five counties, earning $14,177 more than the state median of $96,749. Per capita income of $58,817 also exceeds the state average by $6,238, signaling robust individual and household wealth concentration here.

Bristol outearns most nearby counties

Bristol's $110,926 median household income leads Newport County ($100,859) and Washington County ($102,478), its two closest wealthy neighbors. Only Bristol and Washington maintain rent-to-income ratios below 15%, suggesting more sustainable housing affordability despite higher incomes.

Incomes cover costs comfortably here

With a 14.6% rent-to-income ratio—well below the 30% affordability threshold—Bristol households spend roughly one-seventh of earnings on rent, leaving substantial room for savings and other expenses. Median home values of $468,000 remain accessible for households earning $110,926 annually.

Build generational wealth strategically

Bristol's high incomes create exceptional opportunity for long-term investing and retirement planning. Consider working with a financial advisor to maximize tax-advantaged savings accounts and diversify investments while housing costs remain manageable.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Bristol County

via HealthByCounty

Bristol outpaces the nation on longevity

Bristol County residents live to 80.7 years on average, beating the U.S. average of 76.4 years by over four years. Just 13% of residents report poor or fair health, slightly below the national rate of 13.5%, signaling a generally healthy population.

Rhode Island's second-healthiest county

Bristol's 80.7-year life expectancy ranks second-best in Rhode Island, edging out the state average of 79.9 years. The county's 3.5% uninsured rate is also notably lower than Rhode Island's 4.2% average, reflecting strong healthcare access.

Healthier than nearby Kent and Providence

Bristol residents enjoy a 2.5-year longevity advantage over Kent County (78.2 years) and match Newport County's strong health outcomes at over 80 years. Bristol's primary care capacity of 201 providers per 100,000 is more than double Kent's 84, ensuring shorter waits for routine care.

Strong insurance coverage, robust primary care

With 3.5% of residents uninsured, Bristol leads the state in health coverage. The county's 201 primary care providers per 100,000 population far exceed state needs, while 257 mental health providers per 100,000 support comprehensive behavioral health care.

Already insured? Review your options.

Bristol's low uninsured rate shows residents value health coverage—and you should too. Check HealthCare.gov or your state marketplace to ensure your plan still meets your family's needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Bristol County

via RiskByCounty

Bristol: Well Below National Risk

Bristol County's composite risk score of 19.40 places it in the Very Low category, significantly safer than the typical U.S. county. Most natural hazards here rank far below national averages, making this one of Rhode Island's lowest-risk areas for disaster exposure.

Safest County in Rhode Island

Bristol's composite score of 19.40 is the lowest among all Rhode Island counties—substantially below the state average of 56.59. This makes Bristol the most resilient county in the state when measured across all major natural disaster categories.

Safer Than Every RI Neighbor

Bristol's 19.40 score outpaces Newport County (36.42), Washington County (64.03), Kent County (69.43), and Providence County (93.67) across the board. No other Rhode Island county comes close to Bristol's low-risk profile.

Hurricane and Flood Are Top Concerns

Hurricane risk (74.18) and flood risk (65.80) are Bristol's most significant hazards, though both remain well-controlled compared to inland counties. Tornado, wildfire, and earthquake risks all score below 13, posing minimal threat to residents.

Prioritize Flood and Wind Coverage

While Bristol enjoys low overall risk, coastal flood and hurricane damage are real possibilities—ensure your homeowner's policy covers wind and flood damage, or secure a separate flood policy. Standard homeowner insurance typically excludes flood, so verify coverage with your insurer today.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.