Rhode IslandPop. 7,332Towns
Is Kingston a Good Place to Live? Kingston, Rhode Island: cost of living, crime, schools and rankings
Kingston ranks #215 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #40 of 234 towns and #5 of 20 in Rhode Island. Against similar-size cities it stands out for low poverty (1.8%, #7 of 234) and high household income ($107,404, #33 of 234), and trails on expensive homes ($553,400, #210 of 231).
Kingston by the numbers
The measures people check first, each with Kingston'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 Kingston: no police agency reports to the FBI for it alone. See Is Kingston safe?
What is the cost of living in Kingston?
Kingston'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). The median owner-occupied home is valued at $553,400.
| Measure | Kingston | 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 | $553,400#1029 of 1,309 | — | $280,200 | — |
| Home value to incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 3.7x | 5.2x#881 of 1,309 | — | 3.7x | — |
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 Kingston safe?
No police agency reports crime to the FBI for Kingston alone, which is typical of places policed by a county sheriff, so we don't publish a Kingston 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 Kingston?
The median household in Kingston earns $107,404, 29% above the US figure of $83,163 and 29% above Rhode Island ($83,504). 1.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Kingston | Rhode IslandRI | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size $73,239 · US $83,163 | $107,404#264 of 1,312 | $83,504 | $73,239 | $83,163 |
| Poverty rateCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11.4% | 1.8%#7 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 Kingston?
The median resident of Kingston is 19.5 years old, against 38.6 in similar-size cities. 77% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #14 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 81.9% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
| Measure | Kingston | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median ageCensus ACSSimilar-size 38.6 | 19.5 | 38.6 | — |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 29.2% | 77%#14 of 1,312 | 29.2% | — |
| Homes lived in by their ownerCensus ACSSimilar-size 65.1% | 81.9% | 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 Kingston's schools and health?
We have too few school records for Kingston to describe its public schools. 22% of adults are obese and 2.5% have diabetes, against similar-size city medians of 34.5% and 10.7%.
| Measure | Kingston | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult obesityCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 34.5% | 22%#41 of 1,311 | 34.5% | — |
| Adult diabetesCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.7% | 2.5%#1 of 1,311 | 10.7% | — |
| Adults with frequent mental distressCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 16.8% | 24.8%#1306 of 1,311 | 16.8% | — |
| Adults without health insuranceCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 8.6% | 6.9%#243 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 Kingston?
The average commute in Kingston is 18.4 minutes (Rhode Island 26.3); 1.9% of workers take transit and 11.6% work from home. On the EPA's walkability index Kingston scores 6.8 of 20 (below average walkable), #1257 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). Summers average 67.9°F and winters 30.7°F, with 51.6 inches of precipitation a year.
| Measure | Kingston | Rhode IslandRI | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commuteCensus ACS · rank 1 = shortestSimilar-size 20.4 min | 18.4 min#215 of 1,312 | 26.3 min | 20.4 min | — |
| Commutes of an hour or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 4.8% | 2.6%#114 of 1,312 | 8.6% | 4.8% | — |
| Drive alone to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 75% | 47.6% | 71.3% | 75% | — |
| Take transit to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.3% | 1.9% | 2.1% | 0.3% | — |
| Walk to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 2% | 32.7% | 3.4% | 2% | — |
| Bike to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0% | 0% | 0.7% | 0% | — |
| Work from homeCensus ACSSimilar-size 9.5% | 11.6% | 11.6% | 9.5% | — |
| Walkability index (1 to 20)EPA National Walkability Index · rank 1 = most walkableSimilar-size 8.8 | 6.8#1257 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 | 37.4 | 19.3 | 4.2 |
| Feb | 39.1 | 20.7 | 3.9 |
| Mar | 46.2 | 27.2 | 5.7 |
| Apr | 56.4 | 35.7 | 4.5 |
| May | 65.9 | 45.1 | 3.6 |
| Jun | 74.6 | 54.3 | 4 |
| Jul | 80.3 | 60.4 | 3.3 |
| Aug | 79.1 | 59 | 4.1 |
| Sep | 72.7 | 51.7 | 4.3 |
| Oct | 62.4 | 41.1 | 4.5 |
| Nov | 52 | 32.1 | 4.4 |
| Dec | 42.9 | 25 | 5.2 |
Top: average low to average high, °F. Bottom: precipitation, inches. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Kingston 1 W.
| Measure | Kingston | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 47.7°F | 49.2°F | 47.7°F | — |
| Summer average (Jun–Aug)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 69.6°F | 67.9°F | 69.6°F | — |
| Winter average (Dec–Feb)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 26.8°F | 30.7°F | 26.8°F | — |
| Precipitation a yearNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 36.5 in | 51.6 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 Kingston 1 W.
What are the air quality and natural hazard risks in Kingston?
Washington County's air had a median air quality index of 37, and 83% of measured days were rated good; 4 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from fine particles. Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Washington County's biggest natural hazard losses in coastal flooding, hurricane, and earthquake, with expected yearly losses of 0.1% of building value, lower than 88% of US counties.
| Measure | Kingston | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median air quality index (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = cleanestSimilar-size 38 | 37#190 of 1,138 | 38 | — |
| Unhealthy air days a year (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 1 | 4#645 of 1,138 | 1 | — |
| Yearly hazard losses, share of building value (county)FEMA National Risk Index · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 0.14% | 0.1%#194 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 Washington County: the EPA measures air at monitors and FEMA estimates hazard losses by county, not by city.
Natural hazard losses, Washington County
| Hazard | Yearly loss | Higher than |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal flooding | 0.007% | 78% of counties |
| Hurricane | 0.0094% | 75% of counties |
| Earthquake | 0.0023% | 45% of counties |
| Inland flooding | 0.065% | 29% of counties |
| Tornado | 0.0016% | 20% 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 Kingston compare with similar-size cities?
Kingston is one of 234 places under 25,000 people we track and ranks #40 of them on overall score. The table sets it beside the 8 cities in other states closest to its population of 7,332.
| City | Rank | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime | Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingston, RIPop. 7,332 | #215 | 64.1 | $107,404 | — | no data | 18.4 min |
| Kenai, AKPop. 7,641 | #533 | 57.6 | $87,083 | $1,138/mo | 344 | 15.5 min |
| Lander, WYPop. 7,432 | #699 | 55.0 | $74,813 | $896/mo | part year | 13.6 min |
| Millsboro, DEPop. 7,424 | #661 | 55.7 | $78,707 | $1,277/mo | 345 | 33 min |
| Caribou, MEPop. 7,382 | #615 | 56.5 | $53,709 | $757/mo | 82 | 14.7 min |
| Devils Lake, NDPop. 7,308 | #1006 | 50.0 | $43,220 | $711/mo | 191 | 12.1 min |
| Middlebury, VTPop. 7,220 | #5 | 76.4 | $86,250 | $1,201/mo | 54 | 14.6 min |
| Laurel, MTPop. 7,215 | #846 | 52.6 | $68,474 | $974/mo | 303 | 19.1 min |
| Sturgis, SDPop. 7,086 | #1120 | 47.6 | $54,404 | $780/mo | 329 | 18.3 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 Kingston compare with the rest of Rhode Island?
Kingston ranks #5 of the 20 Rhode Island cities we track, with a score of 64.1 against Rhode Island's statewide 62. Its households earn 29% 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 Kingston's score calculated?
Kingston scores 64.1 out of 100, #215 of 1,312 (grade A, 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 Kingston. One input is missing, so the score uses the others. Similar-size median 41.9.
63.0 - HealthCity data · 19% of score
Adult obesity, diabetes and frequent mental distress in Kingston. Similar-size median 56.5.
67.7 - AffordabilityCity data, some inputs missing · 16% of score
Kingston's home values and rents and its metro area's price level. One input is missing, so the score uses the others. Similar-size median 74.8.
53.0 - Household financesCity data · 13% of score
Median household income and poverty rate in Kingston. Similar-size median 50.8.
81.5 - TransportationCity data · 11% of score
Commute time, long commutes, driving alone, transit, walking, cycling and working from home in Kingston. Similar-size median 48.3.
82.3 - WalkabilityCity data · 11% of score
The EPA's walkability index across Kingston's neighborhoods. Similar-size median 41.1.
30.5 - EnvironmentCounty data · 6% of score
Air quality and natural hazard losses in the county. Similar-size median 59.2.
76.8 - SafetyNot scored
No FBI figures from a police agency serving Kingston alone.
— - EducationNot scored
Too few school records for Kingston.
— - GrowthNot scored
The Census does not estimate yearly population for Kingston.
— - Outdoor accessNot scored
No city-level park or public land measure exists, so outdoor access is not scored for cities.
—
Bar: Kingston'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 Kingston 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 Kingston
Is Kingston, RI a good place to live?
Kingston ranks #215 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #40 of 234 towns and #5 of 20 in Rhode Island. Against similar-size cities it stands out for low poverty (1.8%, #7 of 234) and high household income ($107,404, #33 of 234), and trails on expensive homes ($553,400, #210 of 231).
What is the cost of living in Kingston?
Kingston'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). The median owner-occupied home is valued at $553,400.
Is Kingston safe?
No police agency reports crime to the FBI for Kingston alone, which is typical of places policed by a county sheriff, so we don't publish a Kingston 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 Kingston?
The median household in Kingston earns $107,404, 29% above the US figure of $83,163 and 29% above Rhode Island ($83,504). 1.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
How much does a house cost in Kingston?
The Census median value of owner-occupied homes in Kingston is $553,400, #1029 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest).
How are the public schools in Kingston?
We have too few school records for Kingston to describe its public schools.
How long is the commute in Kingston?
The average commute is 18.4 minutes, #215 of 1,312 cities (1 = shortest), against 26.3 minutes across Rhode Island. 2.6% of workers spend an hour or more getting to work.
What is the weather like in Kingston?
Kingston averages 49.2°F over the year, 67.9°F in summer and 30.7°F in winter, with 51.6 inches of precipitation. Figures are NOAA climate normals.
Is Kingston walkable?
Kingston scores 6.8 out of 20 on the EPA's National Walkability Index (below average walkable), #1257 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 Kingston at risk for?
Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Washington County's biggest natural hazard losses in coastal flooding, hurricane, and earthquake, with expected yearly losses of 0.1% of building value, lower than 88% of US counties.
How is the air quality in Kingston?
Washington County's air had a median air quality index of 37, and 83% of measured days were rated good; 4 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from fine particles.
Who lives in Kingston?
Kingston has 7,332 residents. The median resident of Kingston is 19.5 years old, against 38.6 in similar-size cities. 77% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #14 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 81.9% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
How does Kingston compare with the rest of Rhode Island?
Kingston ranks #5 of the 20 Rhode Island cities we track, with a score of 64.1 against Rhode Island's statewide 62. Its households earn 29% above the Rhode Island median.
What cities are similar in size to Kingston?
The tracked cities in other states closest to Kingston's population of 7,332 are Kenai, AK (#533 overall), Lander, WY (#699 overall), Millsboro, DE (#661 overall), Caribou, ME (#615 overall), and Devils Lake, ND (#1006 overall). Kingston is #215.