Best Cities for Families in Rhode Island
Rhode Island ranks #16 of 50 for families, with a families score of 73.6. Westerly is its best city for families at 72.3.
- Rhode Island, all states
- #16 of 50
- Population
- 18,411
Rhode Island for Families: The Full Picture
Rhode Island is a middle-of-the-pack state for families, ranking #16 out of 50. With moderate schools, a low violent crime rate of 144.1 per 100K residents, and a median household income of $83,504, the state offers a solid foundation for raising children. Housing costs track close to the national average with a cost-of-living index of 102.3.
Education is the single most important factor for families choosing where to live, and Rhode Island shows mixed results on this front. The state's high school graduation rate stands at 83.3%, trailing the national average. Families relocating here should research individual school districts carefully, as statewide metrics (education score: 54/100) mask significant local variation. At $18,972 a year for center-based infant care, childcare is a significant budget item that families need to plan for.
Safety is the other pillar of family-friendly living. Rhode Island excels here with one of the lowest violent crime rates in the country at 144.1 incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI estimate). With a cost-of-living index of 102.3, household expenses are close to the national norm — neither a major advantage nor a dealbreaker.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Families
| # City | Grade | Families score | Overall | Education | Safety | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Westerly | A+ | 72.3 | 70.6 | 87 | 99 | 62 | 18,411 |
| 2Warwick | A | 71.5 | 66.5 | 80 | 95 | 65 | 83,175 |
| 3Cranston | A | 69.0 | 64.2 | 68 | 95 | 64 | 83,250 |
| 4East Providence | A | 68.4 | 63.0 | 69 | 97 | 66 | 47,281 |
| 5Newport | B+ | 65.9 | 62.7 | 62 | 85 | 44 | 24,874 |
| 6Cumberland Hill | A+ | 65.3 | 67.3 | — | — | 64 | 8,648 |
| 7Pawtucket | B | 65.0 | 57.3 | 62 | 84 | 68 | 75,893 |
| 8Kingston | A | 64.7 | 64.1 | — | — | 53 | 7,332 |
| 9Tiverton | A | 63.2 | 64.0 | — | — | 63 | 8,091 |
| 10Providence | B | 63.1 | 56.4 | 63 | 77 | 64 | 191,767 |
| 11Wakefield-Peace Dale | B+ | 62.8 | 62.5 | — | — | 61 | 9,302 |
| 12Newport East | B | 61.3 | 58.7 | — | — | 54 | 11,069 |
| 13Melville | B | 61.3 | 58.2 | — | — | 39 | 1,631 |
| 14Valley Falls | B | 60.9 | 57.9 | — | — | 64 | 12,657 |
| 15Central Falls | C | 60.6 | 51.2 | 64 | 84 | 67 | 22,701 |
| 16Pascoag | B+ | 60.3 | 59.7 | — | — | 65 | 4,410 |
| 17Greenville | B+ | 60.0 | 59.3 | — | — | 63 | 8,296 |
| 18Hope Valley | B | 60.0 | 57.5 | — | — | 59 | 2,297 |
| 19Woonsocket | C | 60.0 | 51.2 | 57 | 73 | 70 | 43,521 |
| 20Narragansett Pier | C+ | 55.4 | 53.6 | — | — | 41 | 3,167 |
City families scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out. City scores for families also weigh the county's expected yearly building losses from natural hazards (FEMA), lower is better; the share of adults without health insurance (CDC PLACES), lower is better; the share of households with someone under 18 (Census ACS), higher is better.
Compare: States with Similar Families Rankings
Also See: Rhode Island for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rhode Island a good state for families?
Rhode Island ranks #16 out of 50 for families with a persona-weighted score of 73.6/100. Its strongest relevant category is Safety (91/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (37/100).
What is the best city for families in Rhode Island?
Westerly ranks #1 in Rhode Island for families with a score of 72.3/100, followed by Warwick and Cranston.
What factors are most important for families in Rhode Island?
Rankings weighted toward education quality, public safety, affordable housing, healthcare, and community livability — the factors that matter most to families with children.