CountyScore

Kent County

Rhode Island · RI

#4 in Rhode Island
61.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Kent County, Rhode Island

Kent County surpasses national livability median

Kent County's composite score of 61.1 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 22%, placing it solidly in the top half of American counties. This demonstrates fundamentals strong enough to compete with most of the nation's communities.

Slightly below Rhode Island average

With a score of 61.1 compared to the state average of 63.2, Kent County ranks in the middle tier of Rhode Island's five counties. It trails Bristol and Newport but outpaces Providence and Washington by different margins.

Health and housing accessibility shine

Kent County's health score of 81.3 and cost score of 58.3 reflect the best housing affordability in the state, with median rents of $1,264/month and homes around $333,900. This combination makes Kent a rare sweet spot for budget-conscious families seeking quality healthcare.

Income growth and risk pose concerns

The income score of 43.0 and median household income of $91,278 lag significantly behind Bristol and Newport counties, while the risk score of 30.6 is the state's lowest, suggesting elevated exposure to natural hazards. These factors limit long-term wealth accumulation for residents.

Best for budget-first families seeking value

Kent County appeals to cost-conscious families and retirees who prioritize affordability and healthcare access over income growth potential. The lower risk score warrants careful consideration of specific neighborhood flood or storm exposure before committing.

Score breakdown

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

Tax61Cost58.3SafetyComing SoonHealth81.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome43Risk30.6WaterComing Soon
🏛61
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠58.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼43
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤81.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡30.6
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 Kent County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Seminole County
Florida
61.1
Median income: $83,030
Ford County
Kansas
61.1
Median income: $70,495
Seward County
Kansas
61.1
Median income: $62,269
Stevens County
Kansas
61.1
Median income: $61,909
Frederick County
Maryland
61.1
Median income: $120,458

Deep Dives

Kent County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Kent County

via TaxByCounty

Kent's tax rate ranks in nation's top tier

Kent County's effective tax rate of 1.468% is among the highest in the United States, far exceeding the national median of 0.84%. The median property tax of $4,903 is 82% above the national median of $2,690, reflecting Rhode Island's steep overall property tax burden.

Highest effective tax rate in Rhode Island

Kent County leads all Rhode Island counties with an effective tax rate of 1.468%, edging out Bristol County's 1.385%. This 0.22 percentage point advantage over the state average of 1.248% results in the highest tax burden relative to property values in the state.

Kent ranks highest among Rhode Island counties

Kent County's 1.468% effective rate significantly exceeds all other counties in the region: Bristol at 1.385%, Providence at 1.375%, Washington at 1.054%, and Newport at 0.955%. Despite having a median home value ($333,900) lower than Bristol and Washington, Kent residents pay comparatively steep property taxes.

Kent homeowners pay $4,903 annually on median home

On Kent County's median home value of $333,900, the effective tax rate of 1.468% produces an estimated annual property tax of $4,903. Mortgage holders average $4,957 in taxes annually, while outright owners typically pay around $4,778.

Check your assessment—it may be too high

With Kent County's high effective tax rate, homeowners have strong incentive to verify their assessments are accurate. Many properties across Rhode Island are overassessed, and filing an appeal to challenge an inflated valuation could significantly reduce your annual tax liability.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Kent County

via CostByCounty

Kent rents remain reasonable nationwide

Kent County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.6% sits comfortably below the national stress point, allowing renters to manage housing costs without squeezing other budgets. With a median household income of $91,278—22% above the national median of $74,755—Kent households have meaningful financial flexibility.

Second-most affordable in Rhode Island

Kent County ranks second in Rhode Island for housing affordability with a rent-to-income ratio of 16.6%, just 0.4 points above Bristol County and 0.4 points below the state average. Renters here enjoy better affordability than in three other state counties.

Middle ground for rent and income

Kent's median rent of $1,264 is the lowest in the state, yet its median household income of $91,278 remains solidly middle-of-the-pack among Rhode Island counties. This balance makes Kent an attractive option for renters prioritizing lower monthly payments without sacrificing earning potential.

Kent's housing cost formula

Kent renters pay $1,264 monthly while homeowners face $1,775 in monthly costs, together representing about 27% of household income. The median home value of $333,900 is the state's lowest, reflecting Kent's appeal to budget-conscious buyers.

Value seekers should explore Kent

Kent County delivers Rhode Island's lowest rents without penalizing income earners, making it ideal for anyone seeking maximum housing affordability. Compare Kent's $1,264 rent against Newport's $1,652 to see where your dollar stretches furthest.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Kent County

via IncomeByCounty

Kent County exceeds national income by 22%

Kent County's median household income of $91,278 outpaces the national median of $74,755 by $16,523, positioning residents in the upper-middle income bracket nationally. This advantage reflects a solid, stable-earning community relative to most US households.

Middle-tier earners in Rhode Island

Kent County ranks third among Rhode Island's five counties, earning $5,471 below the state median of $96,749. Per capita income of $49,243 falls slightly below the state average of $52,579, indicating moderate but not exceptional individual earnings here.

Kent's income trails wealthier neighbors

Kent County ($91,278) earns notably less than Bristol ($110,926), Newport ($100,859), and Washington ($102,478) counties, though it outearns Providence ($78,204). Kent's 16.6% rent-to-income ratio sits between affordable and moderate, typical for middle-income Rhode Island communities.

Affordable housing, moderate rent burden

Kent's 16.6% rent-to-income ratio falls comfortably below the 30% affordability ceiling, meaning most households allocate roughly one-sixth of income to rent. Median home values of $333,900 are the lowest among Rhode Island counties, making homeownership achievable for Kent's median earners.

Start saving early for long-term goals

Kent's moderate incomes and affordable housing create a solid foundation for wealth-building through consistent saving and investing. Open a high-yield savings account or retirement fund today to take advantage of compound growth over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Kent County

via HealthByCounty

Kent's life expectancy trails national average

Kent County residents live to 78.2 years on average, falling short of the U.S. average of 76.4 years by 1.8 years but below Rhode Island's 79.9-year state average. Like the nation, 13% of Kent residents report poor or fair health, a sign that chronic conditions affect a meaningful share of the population.

Rhode Island's third-shortest lifespan

Kent County's 78.2-year life expectancy is the third-lowest in Rhode Island, trailing the state average by 1.7 years. The county's 4% uninsured rate sits just below the state average of 4.2%, but access to primary care remains a challenge.

Fewer primary care options than Bristol

Kent residents face a primary care shortage compared to neighboring Bristol County, with just 84 providers per 100,000 versus Bristol's 201. Mental health support is more abundant, with 439 providers per 100,000, yet the gap in physical healthcare access likely contributes to Kent's lower life expectancy.

Primary care scarcity complicates healthcare

Kent's 84 primary care providers per 100,000 people create longer waits and travel times for routine checkups, preventive care, and chronic disease management. An uninsured rate of 4% affects roughly 3,000 residents who may avoid seeking care due to cost, widening health disparities.

Don't skip coverage—use Rhode Island resources.

If you're uninsured or underinsured, visit HealthCare.gov or the Rhode Island Health Insurance Marketplace to find affordable coverage. Preventive care through insurance can catch health problems early, especially important given Kent's limited provider network.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Kent County

via RiskByCounty

Kent: Above-Average Risk Across Hazards

Kent County's composite risk score of 69.43 ranks in the Relatively Low category nationally, but masks elevated exposure to several specific hazards. Flood (80.88), hurricane (82.39), and earthquake (75.29) risks all exceed typical U.S. levels.

Second-Highest Risk in Rhode Island

Kent County scores 69.43, placing it second only to Providence County (93.67) for overall risk in Rhode Island. At 12.84 points above the state average of 56.59, Kent faces notably elevated hazard exposure compared to Bristol and Newport counties.

Higher Risk Than Coastal Peers

Kent's 69.43 score exceeds Newport (36.42) and Bristol (19.40), though it ranks below Providence (93.67) and slightly above Washington (64.03). As the state's interior anchor, Kent experiences higher flood and tornado risk than its coastal neighbors.

Flood and Hurricane Dominate Kent's Profile

Flood (80.88) and hurricane (82.39) are Kent's two major hazards, with earthquake risk (75.29) also elevated. While tornado (39.06) and wildfire (21.12) pose secondary threats, the county's inland-coastal hybrid geography creates compound vulnerability.

Don't Skip Flood Insurance Here

Kent's flood risk of 80.88 demands active flood insurance—federal rates may be more affordable than you expect, especially outside high-hazard zones. Bundle flood coverage with wind and earthquake riders to address Kent's full natural disaster spectrum.

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.