What is the property tax rate in Newport County?

The combined effective property tax rate in Newport County, Rhode Island is approximately 1.00%.

Newport County Property Tax Calculator (2026) — Rhode Island Property Tax Almanac

Property Tax in Newport County, 2026

A calculator and field guide for Newport-area homeowners — and for anyone considering a move to Newport County — including Rhode Island's 100% full-and-fair-cash-value assessment, RI's distinctive structure (NO county government — abolished 1842, the FIRST US state to do so; 39 cities/towns assess, each setting its own rate), the dramatic town-variable homestead exemption (Providence 40% AV reduction, East Providence 14%, Cranston $12,495 fixed, many towns 0%), classified rates in some towns (different rates for owner-occupied vs commercial vs non-owner-occupied), the refundable Property Tax Relief Credit (RI-1040H, up to $675 for 65+/disabled with HHI ≤ $40K), and town-variable veteran exemptions ($1,000 state minimum, some towns provide near-full exemption). RI effective rates run ~1.40% statewide median.

Newport County is part of Rhode Island's town-driven property tax system. Rhode Island assesses at 100% of full and fair cash value. Tax = AV × city/town total rate / 1,000. RI has 39 total municipalities (8 cities + 31 towns) that assess. RI abolished county government in 1842 — the FIRST US state to do so. The 5 counties remain as census/judicial divisions only. Newport's representative effective rate is ~1.00%. RI runs ~1.40% statewide median, with dramatic town-by-town variation.

How the bill is built

Each city/town's assessor determines FMV; RI requires reassessment every 9 years (RI Gen. Laws §44-5-11.6) plus statistical updates between. Tax = FMV × city/town rate / 1,000. Newport's representative rate is ~10 mills (~1.00% effective). Some RI cities/towns use CLASSIFIED rates (different for owner-occupied vs commercial vs non-owner-occupied residential vs personal property). Bills typically issue quarterly (August/November/February/May).

Homestead exemptions are town-variable — no statewide program. Each city/town sets its own. Wide range: Providence offers 40% AV reduction (among the most generous owner-occupied exemptions in the US), East Providence 14%, Cranston $12,495 fixed, many towns 0%. Apply with city/town assessor; deadlines vary by municipality (typically Dec 31 of prior year).

RI Property Tax Relief Credit + town-variable vet exemptions. The Property Tax Relief Credit (form RI-1040H) is a REFUNDABLE state income tax credit up to $675 (2025) for homeowners 65+/disabled with HHI ≤ $40K. Veteran exemptions: state minimums ($1,000 standard / $1,000-$10,000 by disability rating) plus town enhancements — some towns (Providence, Warwick, Newport) provide near-full exemption for 100% P&T disabled, but RI is NOT a categorical full-vet-exemption state.

2026 Newport County rate breakdown (city/town rate per $1,000 of AV (100% full-and-fair-cash-value; cities/towns assess — RI abolished county govt 1842), Newport district)

Taxing entity	Rate
City/town owner-occupied residential rate (Newport ~$8.20/$1,000 ~0.85% due to substantial mansion + commercial + tourism tax base, Middletown ~$13.94/$1,000 ~1.20%, Portsmouth ~$15.21/$1,000 ~1.30%, Tiverton ~$13.31/$1,000 ~1.10%, Little Compton ~$5.62/$1,000 ~0.50% due to substantial affluent coastal tax base, Jamestown ~$8.18/$1,000 ~0.70% × 100% AR; county avg ~1.00% effective)	10.0000
Combined total	10.0000

As of April 27, 2026 · From City and Town Tax Assessors of Newport County (no county government — RI abolished county govt 1842; Newport is as the American Gilded Age summer resort + Tennis Hall of Fame + America's Cup heritage).

Note: Newport County is **the American Gilded Age summer resort capital + the America's Cup yacht race heritage + Naval War College** — anchored by **Newport** (~25K — as **the 1639-founded American summer resort destination** + the **Gilded Age "cottage" mansions** along **Bellevue Avenue**: the **The Breakers** (Cornelius Vanderbilt II 1895 — 70-room Italian Renaissance-style mansion + American Gilded Age home), **Marble House** (William Vanderbilt 1892 — 50-room French Beaux-Arts mansion by **Richard Morris Hunt** the American architect), **The Elms** (Edward Berwind 1901), **Rosecliff** (Hermann Oelrichs 1902 — for 1974 *The Great Gatsby* film location), **Chateau-sur-Mer** (William Wetmore 1852 — American Gilded Age mansion), **Hunter House** (1748-built American 18th-century mansion); plus **International Tennis Hall of Fame** the 1955-founded American tennis museum + annual **Hall of Fame Open** ATP Tour tennis tournament; plus **Naval War College** the 1884-founded American naval graduate school; plus **St. Mary's Church** the 1849-built American Catholic church + **September 12, 1953** wedding of **John F. Kennedy** the future 35th US President + **Jacqueline Bouvier** the American socialite + future First Lady; plus **Bellevue Avenue Historic District** the American National Historic Landmark District; plus **Cliff Walk** the 3.5-mile American oceanside walking path + **Touro Synagogue** the 1763-built American synagogue as the **oldest synagogue in the United States**), **Middletown** (~16K — home of **Sachuest Beach** the American "Second Beach"), **Portsmouth** (~17K — as **the 1638-founded American settlement** by **Anne Hutchinson** + 1638-1639 American religious dissenter + 2nd American RI town founding after 1636 Providence — home of **Green Animals Topiary Garden** the American 1940s topiary garden + 80+ topiary animals), **Tiverton** (~16K — **Tiverton Four Corners** arts district + Sakonnet River coastal town), **Little Compton** (~3K — affluent coastal town + home of **Sakonnet Vineyards** 1975-founded American RI winery + **John Howland** the *Mayflower* 1620 passenger descendants 1700s-2025 continuous Little Compton residence), and **Jamestown** (~5K — as **Conanicut Island** in Narragansett Bay + **Pell Bridge** 1969-built 11,000-foot suspension bridge connecting Newport + Jamestown + **Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge** 1992-built connecting Jamestown + North Kingstown). Major employment includes substantial **US Naval Station Newport** (~5,000+ Navy + civilian employees), the **Naval War College**, **Newport Hospital**, substantial Newport mansion + tourism economy (~3+ million annual visitors), and substantial defense contracting.

Note: Newport County effective property tax rates run approximately **1.00%** — the lowest in Rhode Island. The reason: substantial Newport mansion + commercial + tourism tax base offsets residential burden. **Newport City at $8.20/$1,000** + **Little Compton at $5.62/$1,000** + **Jamestown at $8.18/$1,000** are lowest in RI. Middletown ~$13.94/$1,000, Portsmouth ~$15.21/$1,000, Tiverton ~$13.31/$1,000. Median home values around $525K (the highest in our Rhode Island coverage given Gilded Age + waterfront premium) combined with the low effective rate produce median annual bills around $5,250.

Note: For relocation buyers: Newport County offers **the premier Gilded Age + America's Cup + Naval War College + Atlantic coastal** Rhode Island option — the **Gilded Age "cottage" mansions** the American 19th-century luxury estate heritage, the **International Tennis Hall of Fame** + annual **Hall of Fame Open**, the **Naval War College** + US Navy heritage, exceptional Atlantic coastal recreation (the **Cliff Walk** 3.5-mile oceanside path + **Sachuest Beach** + **First Beach** Easton's Beach), the **St. Mary's Church** the JFK-Jackie wedding heritage, the **Touro Synagogue** the American oldest synagogue, and reasonable Boston reach (Newport to Boston ~75 mi via I-195 + I-95). The trade-off: aggressive housing prices (Newport median home $625K, the Bellevue Avenue + Ocean Drive estates $5M+, Little Compton affluent $1M+, Jamestown waterfront $850K+), substantial seasonal/tourism population variation (Newport population swings from ~25K winter to ~75K+ summer with America's Cup era + annual Newport Folk + Newport Jazz Festival drawing 100K+ annual attendees combined), distance from major New England urban centers (Newport to Boston ~75 mi via I-195 + I-95).

Deductions and exemptions for 2026

Rhode Island homeowner property tax relief operates through several mechanisms — primarily through town-variable homestead exemptions (no statewide uniform), plus the State Property Tax Relief Credit on the income tax return, plus partial veteran AV reductions. Rhode Island's primary relief mechanisms: (1) Town homestead exemptions (varies by city/town — Providence 40%, East Providence 14%, Cranston $12,495 fixed, many towns 0%); (2) the State Property Tax Relief Credit (form RI-1040H — refundable RI income tax credit up to $675 for 65+/disabled with HHI ≤ $40K); (3) the Standard Veteran Exemption ($1,000 statewide minimum AV reduction); (4) the Disabled Veteran Exemption ($1,000-$10,000+ AV reduction by VA disability percentage); and (5) town-variable senior exemptions adopted by individual cities and towns.

Town Homestead Exemption (varies by city/town)

Rhode Island has NO statewide homestead exemption. Each city/town adopts its own through local ordinance — wide variation. Providence: 40% residential exemption (one of the most generous owner-occupied exemptions in the US — applied as a percentage AV reduction to qualifying primary residences). East Providence: 14% AV reduction. Cranston: $12,495 fixed. Warwick: varies by classification. Many smaller towns offer no homestead exemption at all. Eligibility: must be owner-occupied primary residence (typically as of December 31 of prior year for the next tax bill). Apply with city/town tax assessor — application deadlines vary by municipality (typically December 31). The 40% Providence exemption saves substantially (e.g., on a $400K home with the Providence rate of $18.48/$1,000 post-exemption, an investor pays ~$7,392 while an owner-occupant on the same property pays ~$4,435 — a $2,957/year owner-occupant savings).

State Property Tax Relief Credit (form RI-1040H)

Rhode Island's structurally distinctive senior/disability relief mechanism — a REFUNDABLE Rhode Island individual income tax credit for property tax (or rent equivalent) paid by homeowners or renters age 65+ or disabled. For 2025 tax year (claimed on 2026 RI income tax return): maximum credit $675, with household income limit at or below ~$40,000 (limit is indexed annually). Claimed on Form RI-1040H with the state income tax return. Paid as state income tax refund regardless of whether income tax is owed. Income limits include Social Security, pensions, IRA distributions — most income types count. The credit is administered by the Rhode Island Division of Taxation, not by the cities/towns.

Standard Veteran Exemption (statewide minimum)

$1,000 statewide minimum AV reduction for veterans (~$14 saving at typical rate). Towns may adopt higher amounts. Eligibility: military service during recognized period + DD-214 + RI residency. Apply with city/town assessor by city/town deadline (typically December 31).

Disabled Veteran Exemption (statewide minimum)

$1,000-$10,000+ AV reduction by VA disability percentage (effective saving ~$282-$5,808 at typical rate). 10-25% rating: $1,000-$2,500; 50-75%: $5,000-$10,000; 100% P&T: up to $20,000+ in some towns. Specially Adapted Housing veterans receive separate higher exemption (some towns provide near-full exemption). Gold Star Parent receives $5,808+ exemption. Surviving spouses of qualifying disabled veterans continue to qualify.

Town Senior Exemptions (city/town option)

In addition to the State Property Tax Relief Credit, individual cities and towns may adopt their own senior property tax exemptions through local ordinance. Providence, Cranston, Warwick, and others provide additional senior exemptions on top of the state credit. Check with your city/town tax assessor for current local senior exemption amounts and eligibility.

Appealing your assessment

Rhode Island property tax appeals follow a 3-tier process. Level 1: City/Town Tax Assessor. File written appeal with city/town assessor within 90 days of first installment due date. The assessor must respond within 45 days. Level 2: Local Tax Board of Review (LTBR). Appeal within 30 days of assessor's decision (or after 45-day response window expires). The LTBR is a 3-member board appointed by the city/town. Level 3: Rhode Island Superior Court. Appeal within 30 days of LTBR decision. Most appeals are resolved at Level 1 or 2.

Cities and towns in Newport County

Newport County contains 6 incorporated municipalities, ranging from Newport to the smallest village. Search volume for property tax is often city-specific, so here is the complete list — with population from the 2020 US Census, rounded to the nearest 100.

Data: US Census Bureau, 2020 Decennial Census. Populations rounded. Cities marked as "split" straddle a county border — the portion inside Newport County is subject to Newport County's tax rolls, while the portion outside is subject to the adjacent county's.

City or town	Type	Population (2020)
Newport County seat	city	25,000
Portsmouth	town	17,000
Middletown	town	16,000
Tiverton	town	16,000
Jamestown	town	5,000
Little Compton	town	3,000

About city-level property tax rates: The rate breakdown and calculator on this page reflect the Newport tax district. Other cities in Newport County may pay into different school districts, city rates, and special districts — so their combined rates can differ, sometimes substantially. Always verify the specific rates for your address with the City and Town Tax Assessors of Newport County (no county government — RI abolished county govt 1842; Newport is as the American Gilded Age summer resort + Tennis Hall of Fame + America's Cup heritage) before relying on any estimate.

Frequently asked questions

When are Rhode Island property taxes due?

Rhode Island property tax bills are typically issued in 4 quarterly installments per year — most RI cities/towns due August, November, February, and May (exact dates vary by municipality). RI's tax year aligns with the city/town fiscal year (most: July 1 – June 30). Late payments accrue interest at varying rates by municipality. Most homeowners pay through escrow via mortgage servicer.

Why did Rhode Island abolish county government?

Rhode Island abolished county government in 1842 — the FIRST US state to do so, 118 years before Connecticut's 1960 abolition. The 1842 decision was driven by RI's small geography (smallest US state by area) — counties were redundant given the small distances between cities/towns and the RI capital in Providence. RI's 5 counties (Providence, Kent, Washington, Newport, Bristol) are census/judicial divisions only — there is no county-level tax, no county-level government, no county executive or commission. The 39 RI municipalities (8 cities + 31 towns) handle all functions that counties handle in most other states (assessment, tax collection, schools, social services, etc.).

How does Providence's 40% homestead exemption work?

The City of Providence offers a 40% residential exemption (one of the most generous owner-occupied exemptions in the US) applied as a percentage AV reduction to qualifying primary residences. Eligibility: must be owner-occupied primary residence as of December 31 of prior year. Apply with the City of Providence Assessor's Office — annual application required. The 40% exemption substantially reduces taxes for owner-occupants vs investors/landlords. On a $400,000 home: an investor pays Providence's full residential rate (~$30.80/$1,000 pre-exemption) = ~$12,320; an owner-occupant pays the same rate × 60% of FMV = ~$7,392 — a $4,928/year owner-occupant savings. Note: the rate applied to owner-occupants vs non-owner-occupants is structured slightly differently in Providence's classified rate system; net effect is the same.

Why are Rhode Island effective property tax rates so high?

Rhode Island effective rates run ~1.40% statewide median — above the national average of 1.10%. Three structural reasons: (1) School funding — Rhode Island funds K-12 public education almost entirely through municipal property taxes, so property tax does substantial revenue work. (2) Small-state economics — Rhode Island has only ~1.1M residents but maintains a full state government, court system, and 39 municipalities; property tax is a primary funding source. (3) Limited commercial/industrial tax base in many towns — outside Providence, Newport, and Warwick, many RI municipalities have limited large-scale commercial/industrial property; residential property carries proportionally more of the burden. RI rate stratification within the small state is dramatic — Newport City at $8.20/$1,000 (substantial mansion + commercial + tourism tax base) and Block Island at $6.70/$1,000 (substantial summer tourism tax base) at the low end; Providence at $24+/$1,000 owner-occupied residential and Central Falls at $24+/$1,000 at the high end.

How does Rhode Island's State Property Tax Relief Credit work?

The Property Tax Relief Credit (form RI-1040H) is a REFUNDABLE Rhode Island state income tax credit up to $675 (2025) for homeowners or renters age 65+ or disabled with household income at or below $40,000 (limit indexed annually). Claimed on Form RI-1040H with the state income tax return. Paid as state income tax refund regardless of whether income tax is owed. Income includes Social Security, pensions, IRA distributions — most income types count. The credit is administered by the Rhode Island Division of Taxation. In addition, individual cities and towns may adopt their own senior property tax exemptions through local ordinance — Providence, Cranston, Warwick, and others provide additional senior exemptions on top of the state credit.

How does Rhode Island's Disabled Veteran Exemption work?

Rhode Island's veteran exemption is partial AV reduction with significant town variation. The Standard Veteran Exemption is $1,000 statewide minimum AV reduction (~$14 saving at typical rate); towns may adopt higher amounts. The Disabled Veteran Exemption is $1,000-$10,000+ AV reduction by VA disability percentage (10-25% rating: $1,000-$2,500; 50-75%: $5,000-$10,000; 100% P&T: up to $20,000+ in some towns; effective saving ~$282-$5,808 at typical rate). The Specially Adapted Housing Veteran receives separate higher exemption (some towns provide near-full exemption). The Gold Star Parent receives $5,808+ exemption. Surviving spouses of qualifying disabled veterans continue to qualify. Some RI towns (Providence, East Providence, Cranston, Warwick, Middletown, Newport, North Kingstown) provide near-full exemption for 100% P&T disabled veterans through generous town-level exemptions, but this is NOT statewide policy. Rhode Island does NOT provide a categorical full property tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans statewide — RI joins the partial-treatment list (CT, NH, NV, UT, KY, ME, VT). Apply with city/town assessor by city/town deadline (typically December 31).

About Newport County

Beyond the property tax — a few things you might not know about the place.

Weird fact

The **Newport Gilded Age "cottage" mansions** along **Bellevue Avenue** are as **the American 19th-century luxury estate heritage capital** — the **The Breakers** (Cornelius Vanderbilt II 1895, 70-room Italian Renaissance-style mansion by **Richard Morris Hunt** + 14-acre estate + cliff-side location + 1948 Preservation Society of Newport County acquisition + **#1 most-visited Newport mansion** drawing **400,000+ annual visitors**), **Marble House** (William Vanderbilt + Alva Vanderbilt 1892, 50-room French Beaux-Arts mansion **$11 million 1892 construction cost** = **$370 million 2025 dollars** — as the American 19th-century single-most-expensive private residence construction; 500,000+ cubic feet of marble + **Chinese Tea House** 1914-built Alva Vanderbilt suffragette event venue), **The Elms** (Edward Berwind 1901, 60-room French Renaissance mansion + **18th-century French landscape garden**), **Rosecliff** (Hermann Oelrichs 1902, **Stanford White**-designed mansion + 1974 *The Great Gatsby* + 1990 *Amistad* + 2008 *27 Dresses* film locations), **Chateau-sur-Mer** (William Wetmore 1852), and dozens of additional Bellevue Avenue mansions. The **Preservation Society of Newport County** (1945-founded American historic preservation society — American National Trust chapter) owns + operates **11 Newport mansions** as American historic house museums drawing **1+ million annual visitors collectively**. The **International Tennis Hall of Fame** in Newport (**1955**-founded American tennis museum + annual **Hall of Fame Open** the only American grass-court ATP Tour tennis tournament + 1880-built **Newport Casino** venue + 256+ **inducted tennis players** 1955-2025) is. The **Naval War College** in Newport (**1884**-founded American naval graduate school — as the **oldest continuously-operating American war college**) is. The **September 12, 1953** wedding of **John F. Kennedy** + **Jacqueline Bouvier** at **St. Mary's Church** in Newport is the **American 1950s political wedding of the decade** — **800+ guests** + **Hammersmith Farm** reception (the 1887-built 28-room Hugh Auchincloss estate, subsequently 1953-1965 Kennedy summer White House) + 100+ celebrities attended. The **America's Cup** yacht race (1851-founded — **oldest international sporting trophy in continuous competition**) was **defended by American yachts in Newport from 1930-1983** (53 years Newport defenses) — until 1983 **Australia II** victory ended the 132-year **longest winning streak in international sports history**.

Hometown hero

Vanderbilt family + JFK + Doris Duke + countless Newport County figures

**Cornelius Vanderbilt II** (1843-1899 — American railroad magnate + **The Breakers** 1895-built Newport mansion owner) + **William K. Vanderbilt** (1849-1920 — American railroad magnate + **Marble House** 1892-built Newport mansion owner — divorced 1895 from **Alva Vanderbilt** 1853-1933 American suffragette + 1909 remarriage to **Anne Sands Rutherfurd** at Newport) are as **the American 19th-century industrial leaders** + American Gilded Age wealth representatives. **John F. Kennedy** (1917-1963 — the 35th US President 1961-1963) is known — **September 12, 1953** wedding to **Jacqueline Bouvier** (1929-1994 — American First Lady 1961-1963) at **St. Mary's Church** in Newport (1953 800+ guests + **Hammersmith Farm** reception). Kennedy's 1953-1963 long Newport Atlantic Fleet US Navy + PT-109 WWII naval identity is. **Doris Duke** (1912-1993 — American tobacco heiress + **Doris Duke Charitable Foundation** $2+ billion philanthropic foundation founder) is known — **Rough Point** 1889-built 105-room Newport mansion 1957-1993 36-year Doris Duke residence + 1999 Newport Restoration Foundation public museum opening. **Other notable Newport County figures** include: **Anne Hutchinson** (1591-1643 — 1638 founder of Portsmouth RI in Newport County after 1637-1638 **Antinomian Controversy** banishment from Massachusetts Bay Colony — as the American religious freedom pioneer); **Roger Williams** (1603-1683 — 1636 founder of Providence RI but with Newport County religious freedom influence); **dozens of American 19th-century industrial leaders** with Newport Gilded Age summer mansion heritage.

Biggest annual event

Newport mansions + Tennis Hall of Fame + Newport Folk + Newport Jazz + America's Cup

The **Newport Gilded Age mansions** (the **Preservation Society of Newport County** 11 mansions including **The Breakers** + **Marble House** + **The Elms** + **Rosecliff** + **Chateau-sur-Mer**) draw **1+ million annual visitors collectively** — as the American Gilded Age heritage tourism capital. The **International Tennis Hall of Fame** + annual **Hall of Fame Open** ATP Tour tennis tournament (annual mid-July) draws 50,000+ annual attendees. The **Newport Folk Festival** (1959-founded — as the American oldest continuously-running folk festival) + **Newport Jazz Festival** (1954-founded — as the American oldest continuously-running jazz festival) annual late-July/early-August festivals at **Fort Adams State Park** draw 100,000+ combined annual attendees. The **Tall Ships Newport** + annual **Newport International Boat Show** (annual mid-September) draws 50,000+ annual attendees. The **Cliff Walk** 3.5-mile oceanside walking path draws 4+ million annual visitors.

Property Tax in Newport County, 2026