Best Cities for Outdoor Enthusiasts in Rhode Island
Why Rhode Island Works for Outdoor Enthusiasts
Rhode Island ranks #10 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts — a premier destination for those who build their lives around access to nature. The outdoor access score of 37/100 indicates limited public outdoor infrastructure compared to western and northeastern states. At just 4.4% public land, access to wilderness requires more effort — but state and local parks fill some of the gap.
Environmental quality matters when you spend significant time outdoors. Rhode Island's environment score of 53/100 is middling — air quality (AQI: 35) is good, though environmental policy could be stronger. Natural disaster risk is low, meaning fewer disruptions to outdoor plans.
The practical side: average living costs (index: 101) keep outdoor lifestyles manageable. Safety (86/100) is strong — important for solo hikers and those exploring remote areas, and the overall health infrastructure (76/100) supports an active lifestyle with good access to sports medicine and emergency care.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Outdoor Enthusiasts
| # | City | Grade | Outdoor Enthusiasts Score | Overall | Outdoor Access | Environment | Safety | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kingston | A+ | 57.0 | 64.9 | 37 | 53 | 86 | 6,953 |
| 2 | Tiverton | A | 56.3 | 62.2 | 37 | 53 | 97 | 8,151 |
| 3 | Westerly | A | 55.8 | 62.3 | 37 | 53 | 94 | 18,528 |
| 4 | Cranston | A | 55.7 | 61.3 | 37 | 53 | 91 | 82,640 |
| 5 | Wakefield-Peace Dale | A+ | 55.6 | 64.4 | 37 | 53 | 86 | 9,812 |
| 6 | Greenville | A | 55.4 | 63.1 | 37 | 53 | 86 | 8,586 |
| 7 | East Providence | B+ | 55.4 | 59.7 | 37 | 53 | 94 | 46,970 |
| 8 | Cumberland Hill | A+ | 55.3 | 65.8 | 37 | 53 | 86 | 8,638 |
| 9 | Melville | A+ | 55.1 | 63.8 | 37 | 53 | 86 | 1,840 |
| 10 | Warwick | A | 55.1 | 61.6 | 37 | 53 | 93 | 82,997 |
| 11 | Newport East | B+ | 54.2 | 60.1 | 37 | 53 | 86 | 11,262 |
| 12 | Newport | B+ | 54.1 | 57.2 | 37 | 53 | 83 | 25,029 |
| 13 | Valley Falls | A | 53.3 | 60.9 | 37 | 53 | 86 | 12,370 |
| 14 | Hope Valley | A | 53.3 | 60.7 | 37 | 53 | 86 | 2,147 |
| 15 | Narragansett Pier | B+ | 53.2 | 58.5 | 37 | 53 | 86 | 3,080 |
| 16 | Pascoag | B+ | 52.9 | 59.8 | 37 | 53 | 86 | 4,081 |
| 17 | Providence | C+ | 51.2 | 52.5 | 37 | 53 | 73 | 190,791 |
| 18 | Pawtucket | C+ | 50.8 | 52.7 | 37 | 53 | 76 | 75,312 |
| 19 | Woonsocket | C | 49.4 | 49.6 | 37 | 53 | 68 | 43,074 |
| 20 | Central Falls | C | 47.4 | 46.9 | 37 | 53 | 73 | 22,481 |