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Market MapRhode IslandBristol

Bristol County

Rhode IslandPopulation: 50,658
41
/100
Avoid
#741 of 1,000 counties
#5 in Rhode Island (5 counties)
Analysis by RentalCalcs Research·Independent data + algorithm-driven scoring
Updated July 20, 2026Sources: Zillow ZHVI, Zillow ZORI, US Census ACS, Tax Foundation

Market Snapshot

$661,879
Median Home Price
189% above national median
$2,271/mo
Median Rent
57% above national median
4.12%
Rent-to-Price Ratio
Top 92% nationally
-$1,993
Est. Monthly Cash Flow
With 20% down at 6.9% rate

Scenario comparison

Same $2,271/mo rent assumption, 20% down, 6.85% rate. What changes is the acquisition price.
ScenarioPurchase priceMonthly cash flowCap rateCash-on-cash
75% of median
value-add or distressed
$496,409-$1,126/mo3.6%-11.8%
Median
typical MLS deal
$661,879-$1,993/mo2.7%-15.7%
125% of median
newer / premium
$827,349-$2,861/mo2.1%-18.0%

Price History

Median Home Price

Median Rent

Historical data from Zillow ZHVI/ZORI

Quick Investment Calculator

20%
5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$661,879
Down Payment (20%)$132,376
Loan Amount$529,503
Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$2,271
Monthly P&I-$3,470
Est. Expenses (35%)-$795
Net Cash Flow-$1,993/mo
2.7%
Cap Rate (all cash)
-15.7%
Cash-on-Cash Return
4.12%
Rent-to-Price Ratio
Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 2.7% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on county median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Actual results vary by property.

Run Full AnalysisTry House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score
41/100
41
Cash Flow(30%)
32/100

Based on 4.12% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)
64/100

Based on 1.4% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)
50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)
13/100

Based on price relative to estimated local incomes.

Scores are calculated using real Zillow home value and rent data, Census population data, and economic indicators. The weighted average produces the overall investment score. Markets with missing rent data use estimated values based on regional averages.

Investment Outlook

Strengths

  • +Complete rent data available

Challenges

  • -Below-average rent-to-price ratio (4.12%)
  • -Negative cash flow at typical financing (-$1,993/mo)
  • -Negative leverage (cap rate 2.7% < mortgage rate 6.9%)
  • -High price-to-income ratio makes financing challenging

Economic Indicators

Population
50,658
Median Income
—
Data pending
Unemployment Rate
—
Data pending
Price-to-Income
—
Data pending

Who this market fits

Best for
  • +All-cash buyers: removing debt service flips the cap rate to actual yield
Skip if
  • −You need positive cash flow on day one at typical leverage
  • −You can't tolerate negative leverage (cap rate below mortgage rate today)
  • −You rely on FHA-style financing: prices are stretched relative to local incomes
  • −You want a market with broad institutional consensus on fundamentals

Compare to Nearby Counties

CountyVerdict
KentRI
61$418,072$2,1816.26%BuyView
ProvidenceRI
54$431,699$2,0295.64%HoldView
WashingtonRI
53$651,796$2,5534.70%HoldView
NewportRI
49$746,144$2,7974.50%HoldView
CurrentBristolRI
41$661,879$2,2714.12%Avoid

The Bottom Line

AvoidBristol may be challenging for traditional rentals. High prices or low rents make cash flow difficult.

Bristol County in Rhode Island scores 41/100, ranking #741 of 1,000 US counties (top 95%). At 20% down and current rates, a median-priced rental loses about $1993/month; the 4.12% gross rent-to-price ratio doesn't survive debt service. The thesis here is appreciation, value-add, house hacking, or all-cash.

Monthly Cash Flow
$-1,993/mo
Cap Rate
2.7%
Cash-on-Cash
-15.7%

Related markets

Markets like Bristol with stronger cash flow

  • Kent County for cash-flow rentals
  • Providence County for cash-flow rentals
  • Washington County for cash-flow rentals

Cheaper alternatives to Bristol

  • Kent County, lower entry price
  • Providence County, lower entry price
  • Washington County, lower entry price

Head-to-head comparisons

  • Bristol vs Newport for rentals
  • Bristol vs Washington for rentals
  • Bristol vs Providence for rentals
All counties in Rhode Island →

Rent vs buy in Rhode Island cities

Rent vs buy in Providence, RIMedian $431,699 · rent $2,029/moRent vs buy in Warwick, RIMedian $418,072 · rent $2,181/moRent vs buy in Cranston, RIMedian $431,699 · rent $2,029/moRent vs buy in Pawtucket, RIMedian $431,699 · rent $2,029/moRent vs buy in East Providence, RIMedian $431,699 · rent $2,029/moAll Rhode Island citiesFull rent-vs-buy directory for the state

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