Rhode IslandPop. 12,657Towns
Is Valley Falls a Good Place to Live? Valley Falls, Rhode Island: cost of living, crime, schools and rankings
Valley Falls ranks #515 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #85 of 234 towns and #14 of 20 in Rhode Island. Against similar-size cities it stands out for low poverty (4.1%, #19 of 234), with no measure in the bottom quarter.
Valley Falls by the numbers
The measures people check first, each with Valley Falls'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 Valley Falls: no police agency reports to the FBI for it alone. See Is Valley Falls safe?
What is the cost of living in Valley Falls?
Valley Falls'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 $1,362/mo against $1,138/mo in similar-size cities. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $375,200.
| Measure | Valley Falls | 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 | $375,200#727 of 1,309 | — | $280,200 | — |
| Median rent (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,138/mo | $1,362/mo#599 of 1,309 | — | $1,138/mo | — |
| Home value to incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 3.7x | 4x#577 of 1,309 | — | 3.7x | — |
| Rent as a share of incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 19.3% | 17.6%#203 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 Valley Falls safe?
No police agency reports crime to the FBI for Valley Falls alone, which is typical of places policed by a county sheriff, so we don't publish a Valley Falls 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 Valley Falls?
The median household in Valley Falls earns $92,901, 12% above the US figure of $83,163 and 11% above Rhode Island ($83,504). 4.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Valley Falls | Rhode IslandRI | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size $73,239 · US $83,163 | $92,901#428 of 1,312 | $83,504 | $73,239 | $83,163 |
| Poverty rateCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11.4% | 4.1%#54 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 Valley Falls?
The median resident of Valley Falls is 41.7 years old, against 38.6 in similar-size cities. 29.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #828 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 67.8% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
| Measure | Valley Falls | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median ageCensus ACSSimilar-size 38.6 | 41.7 | 38.6 | — |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 29.2% | 29.1%#828 of 1,312 | 29.2% | — |
| Homes lived in by their ownerCensus ACSSimilar-size 65.1% | 67.8% | 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 Valley Falls's schools and health?
We have too few school records for Valley Falls to describe its public schools. 32% of adults are obese and 10.8% have diabetes, against similar-size city medians of 34.5% and 10.7%.
| Measure | Valley Falls | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult obesityCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 34.5% | 32%#547 of 1,311 | 34.5% | — |
| Adult diabetesCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.7% | 10.8%#578 of 1,311 | 10.7% | — |
| Adults with frequent mental distressCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 16.8% | 17.9%#840 of 1,311 | 16.8% | — |
| Adults without health insuranceCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 8.6% | 7.9%#358 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 Valley Falls?
The average commute in Valley Falls is 23.3 minutes (Rhode Island 26.3); 0% of workers take transit and 9.9% work from home. On the EPA's walkability index Valley Falls scores 11.2 of 20 (above average walkable), #563 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 | Valley Falls | Rhode IslandRI | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commuteCensus ACS · rank 1 = shortestSimilar-size 20.4 min | 23.3 min#625 of 1,312 | 26.3 min | 20.4 min | — |
| Commutes of an hour or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 4.8% | 4.8%#540 of 1,312 | 8.6% | 4.8% | — |
| Drive alone to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 75% | 68.1% | 71.3% | 75% | — |
| Take transit to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.3% | 0% | 2.1% | 0.3% | — |
| Walk to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 2% | 0.7% | 3.4% | 2% | — |
| Bike to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0% | 0% | 0.7% | 0% | — |
| Work from homeCensus ACSSimilar-size 9.5% | 9.9% | 11.6% | 9.5% | — |
| Walkability index (1 to 20)EPA National Walkability Index · rank 1 = most walkableSimilar-size 8.8 | 11.2#563 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 | Valley Falls | 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 Valley Falls?
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 | Valley Falls | 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 Valley Falls compare with similar-size cities?
Valley Falls is one of 234 places under 25,000 people we track and ranks #85 of them on overall score. The table sets it beside the 8 cities in other states closest to its population of 12,657.
| City | Rank | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime | Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valley Falls, RIPop. 12,657 | #515 | 57.9 | $92,901 | $1,362/mo | no data | 23.3 min |
| South Charleston, WVPop. 13,457 | #1255 | 42.1 | $63,884 | $844/mo | 446 | 19.3 min |
| Claremont, NHPop. 13,078 | #561 | 57.2 | $59,096 | $1,146/mo | 183 | 24.3 min |
| Jerome, IDPop. 12,930 | #983 | 50.4 | $66,894 | $947/mo | 356 | 22 min |
| Box Elder, SDPop. 12,902 | #837 | 52.7 | $73,008 | $1,491/mo | 312 | 20.1 min |
| Milford, DEPop. 12,803 | #896 | 51.9 | $59,464 | $1,260/mo | 464 | 23.3 min |
| Artesia, NMPop. 12,576 | #1073 | 48.5 | $74,915 | $1,288/mo | 393 | 17.7 min |
| Beatrice, NEPop. 12,225 | #916 | 51.5 | $57,264 | $758/mo | 73 | 15.6 min |
| College, AKPop. 11,924 | #823 | 52.9 | $83,895 | $1,454/mo | no data | 16 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 Valley Falls compare with the rest of Rhode Island?
Valley Falls ranks #14 of the 20 Rhode Island cities we track, with a score of 57.9 against Rhode Island's statewide 62. Its households earn 11% 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 Valley Falls's score calculated?
Valley Falls scores 57.9 out of 100, #515 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 Valley Falls. One input is missing, so the score uses the others. Similar-size median 41.9.
50.3 - HealthCity data · 19% of score
Adult obesity, diabetes and frequent mental distress in Valley Falls. Similar-size median 56.5.
56.6 - AffordabilityCity data · 16% of score
Valley Falls's home values and rents and its metro area's price level. Similar-size median 74.8.
64.3 - Household financesCity data · 13% of score
Median household income and poverty rate in Valley Falls. Similar-size median 50.8.
73.1 - TransportationCity data · 11% of score
Commute time, long commutes, driving alone, transit, walking, cycling and working from home in Valley Falls. Similar-size median 48.3.
46.9 - WalkabilityCity data · 11% of score
The EPA's walkability index across Valley Falls's neighborhoods. Similar-size median 41.1.
53.7 - 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 Valley Falls alone.
— - EducationNot scored
Too few school records for Valley Falls.
— - GrowthNot scored
The Census does not estimate yearly population for Valley Falls.
— - Outdoor accessNot scored
No city-level park or public land measure exists, so outdoor access is not scored for cities.
—
Bar: Valley Falls'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 Valley Falls 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 Valley Falls
Is Valley Falls, RI a good place to live?
Valley Falls ranks #515 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #85 of 234 towns and #14 of 20 in Rhode Island. Against similar-size cities it stands out for low poverty (4.1%, #19 of 234), with no measure in the bottom quarter.
What is the cost of living in Valley Falls?
Valley Falls'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 $1,362/mo against $1,138/mo in similar-size cities. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $375,200.
Is Valley Falls safe?
No police agency reports crime to the FBI for Valley Falls alone, which is typical of places policed by a county sheriff, so we don't publish a Valley Falls 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 Valley Falls?
The median household in Valley Falls earns $92,901, 12% above the US figure of $83,163 and 11% above Rhode Island ($83,504). 4.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
How much is rent in Valley Falls?
Median rent in Valley Falls is $1,362/mo (Census), #599 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent takes 17.6% of the median household's income.
How much does a house cost in Valley Falls?
The Census median value of owner-occupied homes in Valley Falls is $375,200, #727 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest).
How are the public schools in Valley Falls?
We have too few school records for Valley Falls to describe its public schools.
How long is the commute in Valley Falls?
The average commute is 23.3 minutes, #625 of 1,312 cities (1 = shortest), against 26.3 minutes across Rhode Island. 4.8% of workers spend an hour or more getting to work.
What is the weather like in Valley Falls?
Valley Falls 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 Valley Falls walkable?
Valley Falls scores 11.2 out of 20 on the EPA's National Walkability Index (above average walkable), #563 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 Valley Falls 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 Valley Falls?
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 Valley Falls?
Valley Falls has 12,657 residents. The median resident of Valley Falls is 41.7 years old, against 38.6 in similar-size cities. 29.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #828 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 67.8% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
How does Valley Falls compare with the rest of Rhode Island?
Valley Falls ranks #14 of the 20 Rhode Island cities we track, with a score of 57.9 against Rhode Island's statewide 62. Its households earn 11% above the Rhode Island median.
What cities are similar in size to Valley Falls?
The tracked cities in other states closest to Valley Falls's population of 12,657 are South Charleston, WV (#1255 overall), Claremont, NH (#561 overall), Jerome, ID (#983 overall), Box Elder, SD (#837 overall), and Milford, DE (#896 overall). Valley Falls is #515.