Rhode IslandPop. 8,296Towns
Is Greenville a Good Place to Live? Greenville, Rhode Island: cost of living, crime, schools and rankings
Greenville ranks #439 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #72 of 234 towns and #11 of 20 in Rhode Island. Against similar-size cities it stands out for low poverty (4.8%, #33 of 234) and high household income ($97,234, #53 of 234), and trails on expensive homes ($434,700, #194 of 231).
Greenville by the numbers
The measures people check first, each with Greenville's rank among the tracked cities and the US figure (or the similar-size median where there is no national figure).
No crime figure is shown for Greenville: no police agency reports to the FBI for it alone. See Is Greenville safe?
What is the cost of living in Greenville?
Greenville's cost of living index is 101.8, 2% above the US level of 100 and #770 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,264/mo against $1,138/mo in similar-size cities. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $434,700.
| Measure | Greenville | Rhode IslandRI | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living indexBEA Regional Price Parities, metro area · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size 94.3 · US 100 | 101.8#770 of 1,308 | 102.3 | 94.3 | 100 |
| Median home value (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $280,200 | $434,700#863 of 1,309 | — | $280,200 | — |
| Median rent (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,138/mo | $1,264/mo#499 of 1,309 | — | $1,138/mo | — |
| Home value to incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 3.7x | 4.5x#721 of 1,309 | — | 3.7x | — |
| Rent as a share of incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 19.3% | 15.6%#81 of 1,309 | — | 19.3% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Rhode Island is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. Zillow figures track homes and rentals on the market now; Census figures are survey medians of all homes and leases, so the two differ.
Is Greenville safe?
No police agency reports crime to the FBI for Greenville alone, which is typical of places policed by a county sheriff, so we don't publish a Greenville crime rate or rank it on safety. Rhode Island as a whole records 144 violent crimes per 100,000 residents against 328 nationally.
What do people earn in Greenville?
The median household in Greenville earns $97,234, 17% above the US figure of $83,163 and 16% above Rhode Island ($83,504). 4.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Greenville | Rhode IslandRI | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size $73,239 · US $83,163 | $97,234#380 of 1,312 | $83,504 | $73,239 | $83,163 |
| Poverty rateCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11.4% | 4.8%#95 of 1,312 | — | 11.4% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Rhode Island is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure.
Who lives in Greenville?
The median resident of Greenville is 52.5 years old, against 38.6 in similar-size cities. 38.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #520 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 86.5% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
| Measure | Greenville | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median ageCensus ACSSimilar-size 38.6 | 52.5 | 38.6 | — |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 29.2% | 38.1%#520 of 1,312 | 29.2% | — |
| Homes lived in by their ownerCensus ACSSimilar-size 65.1% | 86.5% | 65.1% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
How are Greenville's schools and health?
We have too few school records for Greenville to describe its public schools. 28.8% of adults are obese and 10.6% have diabetes, against similar-size city medians of 34.5% and 10.7%.
| Measure | Greenville | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult obesityCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 34.5% | 28.8%#319 of 1,311 | 34.5% | — |
| Adult diabetesCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.7% | 10.6%#524 of 1,311 | 10.7% | — |
| Adults with frequent mental distressCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 16.8% | 15.1%#276 of 1,311 | 16.8% | — |
| Adults without health insuranceCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 8.6% | 4.8%#51 of 1,311 | 8.6% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
What are the commute and weather like in Greenville?
The average commute in Greenville is 24.4 minutes (Rhode Island 26.3); 0% of workers take transit and 11% work from home. On the EPA's walkability index Greenville scores 9.8 of 20 (below average walkable), #713 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). Summers average 71.2°F and winters 30.9°F, with 51.9 inches of precipitation a year.
| Measure | Greenville | Rhode IslandRI | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commuteCensus ACS · rank 1 = shortestSimilar-size 20.4 min | 24.4 min#730 of 1,312 | 26.3 min | 20.4 min | — |
| Commutes of an hour or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 4.8% | 5.4%#634 of 1,312 | 8.6% | 4.8% | — |
| Drive alone to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 75% | 84.3% | 71.3% | 75% | — |
| Take transit to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.3% | 0% | 2.1% | 0.3% | — |
| Walk to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 2% | 1.3% | 3.4% | 2% | — |
| Bike to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0% | 0% | 0.7% | 0% | — |
| Work from homeCensus ACSSimilar-size 9.5% | 11% | 11.6% | 9.5% | — |
| Walkability index (1 to 20)EPA National Walkability Index · rank 1 = most walkableSimilar-size 8.8 | 9.8#713 of 1,312 | — | 8.8 | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Rhode Island is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. The walkability index is the EPA's, averaged over the city's neighborhoods by population.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Precipitation (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 37.8 | 18.8 | 4.4 |
| Feb | 39.9 | 21.1 | 3.7 |
| Mar | 47.3 | 28.2 | 4.9 |
| Apr | 59.8 | 38 | 4.7 |
| May | 69.9 | 47.9 | 3.6 |
| Jun | 78.5 | 57.3 | 4.3 |
| Jul | 84 | 63.3 | 3.6 |
| Aug | 82.5 | 61.7 | 4 |
| Sep | 75.4 | 54.4 | 4.2 |
| Oct | 63.9 | 42 | 5.1 |
| Nov | 53.4 | 33.2 | 4.2 |
| Dec | 43 | 24.6 | 5.3 |
Top: average low to average high, °F. Bottom: precipitation, inches. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Woonsocket.
| Measure | Greenville | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 47.7°F | 51.1°F | 47.7°F | — |
| Summer average (Jun–Aug)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 69.6°F | 71.2°F | 69.6°F | — |
| Winter average (Dec–Feb)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 26.8°F | 30.9°F | 26.8°F | — |
| Precipitation a yearNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 36.5 in | 51.9 in | 36.5 in | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Woonsocket.
What are the air quality and natural hazard risks in Greenville?
Providence County's air had a median air quality index of 39, and 73% of measured days were rated good; 1 day was unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from fine particles. Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Providence County's biggest natural hazard losses in hurricane, inland flooding, and earthquake, with expected yearly losses of 0.11% of building value, lower than 80% of US counties.
| Measure | Greenville | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median air quality index (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = cleanestSimilar-size 38 | 39#281 of 1,138 | 38 | — |
| Unhealthy air days a year (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 1 | 1#309 of 1,138 | 1 | — |
| Yearly hazard losses, share of building value (county)FEMA National Risk Index · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 0.14% | 0.11%#299 of 1,312 | 0.14% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. County figures for Providence County: the EPA measures air at monitors and FEMA estimates hazard losses by county, not by city.
Natural hazard losses, Providence County
| Hazard | Yearly loss | Higher than |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane | 0.008% | 73% of counties |
| Inland flooding | 0.083% | 53% of counties |
| Earthquake | 0.0031% | 53% of counties |
| Tornado | 0.0023% | 24% of counties |
FEMA National Risk Index: expected yearly building losses from each hazard as a share of the county's building value, compared with every US county exposed to that hazard. Loss rates, unlike FEMA's risk ratings, do not rise just because a county has more property.
How does Greenville compare with similar-size cities?
Greenville is one of 234 places under 25,000 people we track and ranks #72 of them on overall score. The table sets it beside the 8 cities in other states closest to its population of 8,296.
| City | Rank | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime | Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville, RIPop. 8,296 | #439 | 59.3 | $97,234 | $1,264/mo | no data | 24.4 min |
| Harrisburg, SDPop. 8,519 | #276 | 62.7 | $108,724 | $1,362/mo | no data | 21.9 min |
| Hanover, NHPop. 8,479 | #1 | 80.8 | $153,281 | $2,254/mo | 17 | 19 min |
| Miles City, MTPop. 8,407 | #713 | 54.8 | $67,727 | $926/mo | 356 | 10.8 min |
| Sitka, AKPop. 8,368 | #85 | 68.9 | $101,727 | $1,341/mo | 242 | 13 min |
| Winooski, VTPop. 8,293 | #79 | 69.2 | $79,522 | $1,643/mo | 272 | 21.9 min |
| Wilmington Manor, DEPop. 8,214 | #824 | 52.9 | $78,078 | $1,155/mo | no data | 21.9 min |
| York, NEPop. 8,141 | #817 | 53.1 | $63,265 | $862/mo | 183 | 9.7 min |
| Rawlins, WYPop. 8,129 | #766 | 53.9 | $64,773 | $741/mo | 114 | 13.3 min |
Rank is overall rank of 1,312. Income is median household income; rent is Census median rent; violent crime is per 100,000 residents as reported to the FBI ("no data" and "incomplete" are explained on each city's page).
How does Greenville compare with the rest of Rhode Island?
Greenville ranks #11 of the 20 Rhode Island cities we track, with a score of 59.3 against Rhode Island's statewide 62. Its households earn 16% above the Rhode Island median.
| City | Rank in RI | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westerly, RIPop. 18,411 | #1 | 70.6 | $95,207 | $1,260/mo | 26 |
| Cumberland Hill, RIPop. 8,648 | #2 | 67.3 | $130,506 | $1,310/mo | no data |
| Warwick, RIPop. 83,175 | #3 | 66.5 | $88,708 | $1,363/mo | 87 |
| Cranston, RIPop. 83,250 | #4 | 64.2 | $90,206 | $1,375/mo | 89 |
| Kingston, RIPop. 7,332 | #5 | 64.1 | $107,404 | — | no data |
| Tiverton, RIPop. 8,091 | #6 | 64.0 | $99,158 | $1,342/mo | county/metro |
| East Providence, RIPop. 47,281 | #7 | 63.0 | $75,912 | $1,288/mo | 74 |
| Newport, RIPop. 24,874 | #8 | 62.7 | $86,313 | $1,698/mo | 194 |
| Wakefield-Peace Dale, RIPop. 9,302 | #9 | 62.5 | $106,551 | $1,258/mo | no data |
| Pascoag, RIPop. 4,410 | #10 | 59.7 | $121,369 | $1,319/mo | no data |
| Greenville, RIPop. 8,296 | #11 | 59.3 | $97,234 | $1,264/mo | no data |
| Newport East, RIPop. 11,069 | #12 | 58.7 | $89,028 | $1,876/mo | no data |
| Melville, RIPop. 1,631 | #13 | 58.2 | $102,266 | $2,724/mo | no data |
| Valley Falls, RIPop. 12,657 | #14 | 57.9 | $92,901 | $1,362/mo | no data |
| Hope Valley, RIPop. 2,297 | #15 | 57.5 | $101,932 | — | no data |
| Pawtucket, RIPop. 75,893 | #16 | 57.3 | $68,310 | $1,208/mo | 224 |
| Providence, RIPop. 191,767 | #17 | 56.4 | $68,119 | $1,408/mo | 287 |
| Narragansett Pier, RIPop. 3,167 | #18 | 53.6 | $82,192 | $1,649/mo | no data |
| Woonsocket, RIPop. 43,521 | #19 | 51.2 | $61,059 | $1,161/mo | 371 |
| Central Falls, RIPop. 22,701 | #20 | 51.2 | $49,285 | $1,200/mo | 273 |
All 20 Rhode Island cities we track, by overall score. Rhode Island statewide: median income $83,504, violent crime 144.1 per 100,000.
How is Greenville's score calculated?
Greenville scores 59.3 out of 100, #439 of 1,312 (grade B+, which follows rank). It is scored on the 7 of 11 categories with local data; safety, education, growth, and outdoor access are left out rather than filled with Rhode Island's statewide figure, and the other weights are scaled up to fill the gap. Each score is compared with the median of similar-size cities, which are scored the same way.
- EconomyCity data, some inputs missing · 24% of score
Median household income and unemployment in Greenville. One input is missing, so the score uses the others. Similar-size median 41.9.
54.1 - HealthCity data · 19% of score
Adult obesity, diabetes and frequent mental distress in Greenville. Similar-size median 56.5.
66.9 - AffordabilityCity data · 16% of score
Greenville's home values and rents and its metro area's price level. Similar-size median 74.8.
63.0 - Household financesCity data · 13% of score
Median household income and poverty rate in Greenville. Similar-size median 50.8.
73.7 - TransportationCity data · 11% of score
Commute time, long commutes, driving alone, transit, walking, cycling and working from home in Greenville. Similar-size median 48.3.
42.0 - WalkabilityCity data · 11% of score
The EPA's walkability index across Greenville's neighborhoods. Similar-size median 41.1.
46.3 - EnvironmentCounty data · 6% of score
Air quality and natural hazard losses in the county. Similar-size median 59.2.
71.1 - SafetyNot scored
No FBI figures from a police agency serving Greenville alone.
— - EducationNot scored
Too few school records for Greenville.
— - GrowthNot scored
The Census does not estimate yearly population for Greenville.
— - Outdoor accessNot scored
No city-level park or public land measure exists, so outdoor access is not scored for cities.
—
Bar: Greenville's category score out of 100. Tick: median of the 234 places under 25,000 people we track. Shares of score are the category weights rescaled over the categories Greenville has data for. City scores use city formulas and are not on the same scale as state scores. Grades follow rank among the 1,312 cities. Methodology
Frequently asked questions about living in Greenville
Is Greenville, RI a good place to live?
Greenville ranks #439 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #72 of 234 towns and #11 of 20 in Rhode Island. Against similar-size cities it stands out for low poverty (4.8%, #33 of 234) and high household income ($97,234, #53 of 234), and trails on expensive homes ($434,700, #194 of 231).
What is the cost of living in Greenville?
Greenville's cost of living index is 101.8, 2% above the US level of 100 and #770 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,264/mo against $1,138/mo in similar-size cities. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $434,700.
Is Greenville safe?
No police agency reports crime to the FBI for Greenville alone, which is typical of places policed by a county sheriff, so we don't publish a Greenville crime rate or rank it on safety. Rhode Island as a whole records 144 violent crimes per 100,000 residents against 328 nationally.
What is the median household income in Greenville?
The median household in Greenville earns $97,234, 17% above the US figure of $83,163 and 16% above Rhode Island ($83,504). 4.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
How much is rent in Greenville?
Median rent in Greenville is $1,264/mo (Census), #499 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent takes 15.6% of the median household's income.
How much does a house cost in Greenville?
The Census median value of owner-occupied homes in Greenville is $434,700, #863 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest).
How are the public schools in Greenville?
We have too few school records for Greenville to describe its public schools.
How long is the commute in Greenville?
The average commute is 24.4 minutes, #730 of 1,312 cities (1 = shortest), against 26.3 minutes across Rhode Island. 5.4% of workers spend an hour or more getting to work.
What is the weather like in Greenville?
Greenville averages 51.1°F over the year, 71.2°F in summer and 30.9°F in winter, with 51.9 inches of precipitation. Figures are NOAA climate normals.
Is Greenville walkable?
Greenville scores 9.8 out of 20 on the EPA's National Walkability Index (below average walkable), #713 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). The index weighs street intersection density, distance to transit and the mix of homes and jobs in each neighborhood.
What natural disasters is Greenville at risk for?
Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Providence County's biggest natural hazard losses in hurricane, inland flooding, and earthquake, with expected yearly losses of 0.11% of building value, lower than 80% of US counties.
How is the air quality in Greenville?
Providence County's air had a median air quality index of 39, and 73% of measured days were rated good; 1 day was unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from fine particles.
Who lives in Greenville?
Greenville has 8,296 residents. The median resident of Greenville is 52.5 years old, against 38.6 in similar-size cities. 38.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #520 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 86.5% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
How does Greenville compare with the rest of Rhode Island?
Greenville ranks #11 of the 20 Rhode Island cities we track, with a score of 59.3 against Rhode Island's statewide 62. Its households earn 16% above the Rhode Island median.
What cities are similar in size to Greenville?
The tracked cities in other states closest to Greenville's population of 8,296 are Harrisburg, SD (#276 overall), Hanover, NH (#1 overall), Miles City, MT (#713 overall), Sitka, AK (#85 overall), and Winooski, VT (#79 overall). Greenville is #439.