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Is Woonsocket a Good Place to Live? Woonsocket, Rhode Island: cost of living, crime, schools and rankings
Woonsocket ranks #936 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #150 of 208 small cities and #19 of 20 in Rhode Island. Against similar-size cities it has no measure in the top quarter and trails on high unemployment (5.7%, #174 of 184) and long commutes (29.3 min, #194 of 208).
Woonsocket by the numbers
The measures people check first, each with Woonsocket's rank among the tracked cities and the US figure (or the similar-size median where there is no national figure).
What is the cost of living in Woonsocket?
Woonsocket'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 $1,161/mo against $1,178/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $387,096, 24% below the typical Rhode Island home ($511,233).
| Measure | Woonsocket | Rhode IslandRI | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living indexBEA Regional Price Parities, metro area · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size 92.6 · US 100 | 101.8#770 of 1,308 | 102.3 | 92.6 | 100 |
| Typical home valueZillow Home Value Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $305,499 · US $368,697 | $387,096#594 of 1,187 | $511,233 | $305,499 | $368,697 |
| Typical asking rentZillow Observed Rent Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,536/mo · US $1,948/mo | $1,616/mo#433 of 1,115 | — | $1,536/mo | $1,948/mo |
| Median home value (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $261,400 | $311,000#569 of 1,309 | — | $261,400 | — |
| Median rent (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,178/mo | $1,161/mo#403 of 1,309 | — | $1,178/mo | — |
| Home value to incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 3.5x | 5.1x#864 of 1,309 | — | 3.5x | — |
| Rent as a share of incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 19.9% | 22.8%#756 of 1,309 | — | 19.9% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 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.
Woonsocket housing market · August
Typical home value is a monthly index of homes in the middle third of the market; the Census figures above are survey medians and will differ. Source in the data sources list below. Woonsocket is in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro.
Rhode Island housing market →Is Woonsocket safe?
Woonsocket recorded 371 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, 13% above the US rate of 328 and 2.6 times Rhode Island's 144. That ranks #681 of 1,085 cities with data (1 = safest) and #115 of 174 small cities, from a full year of reports to the FBI by Woonsocket Police Department. Property crime runs 1,481 per 100,000 (US 1,548).
| Measure | Woonsocket | Rhode IslandRI | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crime per 100,000FBI Crime Data Explorer · rank 1 = safestSimilar-size 258 · US 328 | 371#681 of 1,085 | 144 | 258 | 328 |
| Property crime per 100,000FBI Crime Data Explorer · rank 1 = safestSimilar-size 1,540 · US 1,548 | 1,481#468 of 1,085 | 911 | 1,540 | 1,548 |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track (median). Rhode Island is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. City rates come from each police agency's report to the FBI and are not strictly comparable across agencies.
What do people earn in Woonsocket?
The median household in Woonsocket earns $61,059, 27% below the US figure of $83,163 and 27% below Rhode Island ($83,504). Unemployment is 5.7% (US 4.3%). 18.7% of residents live below the poverty line. The population grew 0.4% in the latest year (US +0.5%).
| Measure | Woonsocket | Rhode IslandRI | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size $71,675 · US $83,163 | $61,059#1022 of 1,312 | $83,504 | $71,675 | $83,163 |
| Unemployment rateBLS LAUS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 3.7% · US 4.3% | 5.7%#957 of 1,058 | 4.5% | 3.7% | 4.3% |
| Poverty rateCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 13% | 18.7%#1068 of 1,312 | — | 13% | — |
| Population growth, one yearCensus population estimates · rank 1 = fastestSimilar-size +0.2% · US +0.5% | +0.4%#435 of 1,132 | +0.4% | +0.2% | +0.5% |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track (median). Rhode Island is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure.
Who lives in Woonsocket?
The median resident of Woonsocket is 35.7 years old, against 37.3 in similar-size cities. 19.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #1174 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 37.2% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
| Measure | Woonsocket | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median ageCensus ACSSimilar-size 37.3 | 35.7 | 37.3 | — |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 32.5% | 19.8%#1174 of 1,312 | 32.5% | — |
| Homes lived in by their ownerCensus ACSSimilar-size 62.3% | 37.2% | 62.3% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
How are Woonsocket's schools and health?
Woonsocket's 12 public schools graduate 74.3% of students in four years (Rhode Island 83.3%), with 13.6 students per teacher and $19,269 spent per pupil. 36% of adults are obese and 13% have diabetes, against similar-size city medians of 35.6% and 11.5%.
| Measure | Woonsocket | Rhode IslandRI | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High school graduation rateDepartment of Education EDFacts · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 89% | 74.3%#992 of 1,063 | 83.3% | 89% | — |
| Students per teacherNCES Common Core of Data · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 14.9 | 13.6#234 of 1,188 | — | 14.9 | — |
| Spending per pupilNCES school finance survey · rank 1 = mostSimilar-size $13,509 | $19,269#242 of 1,188 | — | $13,509 | — |
| Adult obesityCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 35.6% | 36%#866 of 1,311 | — | 35.6% | — |
| Adult diabetesCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11.5% | 13%#950 of 1,311 | — | 11.5% | — |
| Adults with frequent mental distressCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 17.3% | 20.6%#1219 of 1,311 | — | 17.3% | — |
| Adults without health insuranceCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 9.2% | 11.9%#864 of 1,311 | — | 9.2% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track (median). Rhode Island is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. 6,242 students are enrolled in Woonsocket's public schools.
What are the commute and weather like in Woonsocket?
The average commute in Woonsocket is 29.3 minutes (Rhode Island 26.3); 1.7% of workers take transit and 6.4% work from home. On the EPA's walkability index Woonsocket scores 12.7 of 20 (above average walkable), #374 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 | Woonsocket | Rhode IslandRI | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commuteCensus ACS · rank 1 = shortestSimilar-size 21.5 min | 29.3 min#1065 of 1,312 | 26.3 min | 21.5 min | — |
| Commutes of an hour or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 4.6% | 10.4%#1079 of 1,312 | 8.6% | 4.6% | — |
| Drive alone to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 75.7% | 73% | 71.3% | 75.7% | — |
| Take transit to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.5% | 1.7% | 2.1% | 0.5% | — |
| Walk to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 1.6% | 1.3% | 3.4% | 1.6% | — |
| Bike to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.2% | 0.4% | 0.7% | 0.2% | — |
| Work from homeCensus ACSSimilar-size 10% | 6.4% | 11.6% | 10% | — |
| Walkability index (1 to 20)EPA National Walkability Index · rank 1 = most walkableSimilar-size 8.8 | 12.7#374 of 1,312 | — | 8.8 | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 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 | Woonsocket | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 56.3°F | 51.1°F | 56.3°F | — |
| Summer average (Jun–Aug)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 76.3°F | 71.2°F | 76.3°F | — |
| Winter average (Dec–Feb)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 36.7°F | 30.9°F | 36.7°F | — |
| Precipitation a yearNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 43.2 in | 51.9 in | 43.2 in | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 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 Woonsocket?
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 | Woonsocket | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median air quality index (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = cleanestSimilar-size 41 | 39#281 of 1,138 | 41 | — |
| 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 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 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 Woonsocket compare with similar-size cities?
Woonsocket is one of 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track and ranks #150 of them on overall score. The table sets it beside the 8 cities in other states closest to its population of 43,521.
| City | Rank | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime | Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woonsocket, RIPop. 43,521 | #936 | 51.2 | $61,059 | $1,161/mo | 371 | 29.3 min |
| Pearl City, HIPop. 44,547 | #331 | 61.3 | $118,112 | $2,316/mo | no data | 26.6 min |
| Fond du Lac, WIPop. 44,494 | #612 | 56.5 | $62,260 | $913/mo | 403 | 19.3 min |
| Concord, NHPop. 44,375 | #203 | 64.4 | $84,902 | $1,441/mo | 181 | 23 min |
| Alexandria, LAPop. 44,060 | #1288 | 38.6 | $47,113 | $931/mo | 2,448 | 17.4 min |
| Post Falls, IDPop. 43,391 | #502 | 58.0 | $82,183 | $1,469/mo | 168 | 24.1 min |
| Altoona, PAPop. 43,196 | #724 | 54.6 | $51,250 | $819/mo | 285 | 17.9 min |
| Sumter, SCPop. 43,053 | #1227 | 43.8 | $55,592 | $1,076/mo | 710 | 19.6 min |
| Jefferson City, MOPop. 42,488 | #621 | 56.4 | $66,371 | $802/mo | 348 | 15.5 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 Woonsocket compare with the rest of Rhode Island?
Woonsocket ranks #19 of the 20 Rhode Island cities we track, with a score of 51.2 against Rhode Island's statewide 62. Its households earn 27% below the Rhode Island median. Violent crime is 2.6 times the statewide rate. Homes are 24% below the typical Rhode Island home.
| 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 Woonsocket's score calculated?
Woonsocket scores 51.2 out of 100, #936 of 1,312 (grade C, which follows rank). It is scored on the 10 of 11 categories with local data; outdoor access is 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 · 16% of score
Median household income and unemployment in Woonsocket. Similar-size median 52.9.
36.6 - SafetyCity data · 13% of score
Violent and property crime per 100,000 residents, as reported to the FBI by Woonsocket's police agency. Similar-size median 78.4.
72.6 - HealthCity data · 13% of score
Adult obesity, diabetes and frequent mental distress in Woonsocket. Similar-size median 52.2.
41.5 - EducationCity data · 13% of score
Graduation rate, students per teacher and spending per pupil in Woonsocket's public schools. Similar-size median 59.4.
57.4 - AffordabilityCity data · 11% of score
Woonsocket's home values and rents and its metro area's price level. Similar-size median 76.3.
69.5 - Household financesCity data · 9% of score
Median household income and poverty rate in Woonsocket. Similar-size median 46.7.
32.3 - GrowthCity data · 7% of score
Population growth and unemployment in Woonsocket. Similar-size median 44.2.
39.2 - TransportationCity data · 7% of score
Commute time, long commutes, driving alone, transit, walking, cycling and working from home in Woonsocket. Similar-size median 47.3.
37.0 - WalkabilityCity data · 7% of score
The EPA's walkability index across Woonsocket's neighborhoods. Similar-size median 41.1.
61.6 - EnvironmentCounty data · 4% of score
Air quality and natural hazard losses in the county. Similar-size median 54.8.
71.1 - Outdoor accessNot scored
No city-level park or public land measure exists, so outdoor access is not scored for cities.
—
Bar: Woonsocket's category score out of 100. Tick: median of the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track. Shares of score are the category weights rescaled over the categories Woonsocket 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 Woonsocket
Is Woonsocket, RI a good place to live?
Woonsocket ranks #936 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #150 of 208 small cities and #19 of 20 in Rhode Island. Against similar-size cities it has no measure in the top quarter and trails on high unemployment (5.7%, #174 of 184) and long commutes (29.3 min, #194 of 208).
What is the cost of living in Woonsocket?
Woonsocket'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 $1,161/mo against $1,178/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $387,096, 24% below the typical Rhode Island home ($511,233).
What is the crime rate in Woonsocket?
Woonsocket recorded 371 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, 13% above the US rate of 328 and 2.6 times Rhode Island's 144. That ranks #681 of 1,085 cities with data (1 = safest) and #115 of 174 small cities, from a full year of reports to the FBI by Woonsocket Police Department. Property crime runs 1,481 per 100,000 (US 1,548).
What is the median household income in Woonsocket?
The median household in Woonsocket earns $61,059, 27% below the US figure of $83,163 and 27% below Rhode Island ($83,504). Unemployment is 5.7% (US 4.3%). 18.7% of residents live below the poverty line. The population grew 0.4% in the latest year (US +0.5%).
How much is rent in Woonsocket?
Median rent in Woonsocket is $1,161/mo (Census), #403 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest). The typical asking rent for a unit on the market now is $1,616/mo, against $1,948/mo nationally. Median rent takes 22.8% of the median household's income.
How much does a house cost in Woonsocket?
The typical home value in Woonsocket is $387,096, up 0.1% in a year, against $511,233 for Rhode Island and $368,697 nationally. The Census median value of owner-occupied homes is $311,000.
How are the public schools in Woonsocket?
Woonsocket's 12 public schools graduate 74.3% of students in four years (Rhode Island 83.3%), with 13.6 students per teacher and $19,269 spent per pupil.
How long is the commute in Woonsocket?
The average commute is 29.3 minutes, #1065 of 1,312 cities (1 = shortest), against 26.3 minutes across Rhode Island. 10.4% of workers spend an hour or more getting to work.
What is the weather like in Woonsocket?
Woonsocket 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 Woonsocket walkable?
Woonsocket scores 12.7 out of 20 on the EPA's National Walkability Index (above average walkable), #374 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 Woonsocket 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 Woonsocket?
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 Woonsocket?
Woonsocket has 43,521 residents. The median resident of Woonsocket is 35.7 years old, against 37.3 in similar-size cities. 19.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #1174 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 37.2% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
How does Woonsocket compare with the rest of Rhode Island?
Woonsocket ranks #19 of the 20 Rhode Island cities we track, with a score of 51.2 against Rhode Island's statewide 62. Its households earn 27% below the Rhode Island median. Violent crime is 2.6 times the statewide rate. Homes are 24% below the typical Rhode Island home.
What cities are similar in size to Woonsocket?
The tracked cities in other states closest to Woonsocket's population of 43,521 are Pearl City, HI (#331 overall), Fond du Lac, WI (#612 overall), Concord, NH (#203 overall), Alexandria, LA (#1288 overall), and Post Falls, ID (#502 overall). Woonsocket is #936.