What is the property tax rate in Providence County?

The combined effective property tax rate in Providence County, Rhode Island is approximately 1.85%.

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

Property Tax in Providence County, 2026

A calculator and field guide for Providence-area homeowners — and for anyone considering a move to Providence 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.

Providence 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. Providence's representative effective rate is ~1.85%. 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. Providence's representative rate is ~19 mills (~1.85% 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 Providence 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), Providence district)

Taxing entity	Rate
City/town owner-occupied residential rate (Providence post-40% homestead exemption ~$18.48/$1,000 effective rate ~1.85%, Cranston ~$18.51/$1,000 ~1.50%, Pawtucket ~$15.99/$1,000 ~1.55%, Woonsocket ~$16.40/$1,000 ~1.65%, East Providence post-14% homestead ~$15.45/$1,000 ~1.45%, Central Falls ~$22.78/$1,000 ~2.10%, Cumberland ~$13.50/$1,000 ~1.30%, Lincoln ~$16.78/$1,000 ~1.55%, Smithfield ~$14.68/$1,000 ~1.40% × 100% AR; county avg ~1.85% effective)	18.5000
Combined total	18.5000

Taxing entity

Rate

City/town owner-occupied residential rate (Providence post-40% homestead exemption ~$18.48/$1,000 effective rate ~1.85%, Cranston ~$18.51/$1,000 ~1.50%, Pawtucket ~$15.99/$1,000 ~1.55%, Woonsocket ~$16.40/$1,000 ~1.65%, East Providence post-14% homestead ~$15.45/$1,000 ~1.45%, Central Falls ~$22.78/$1,000 ~2.10%, Cumberland ~$13.50/$1,000 ~1.30%, Lincoln ~$16.78/$1,000 ~1.55%, Smithfield ~$14.68/$1,000 ~1.40% × 100% AR; county avg ~1.85% effective)

18.5000

Combined total

18.5000

As of April 27, 2026 · From City and Town Tax Assessors of Providence County (no county government — RI abolished county govt 1842; cities and towns assess).

Note: Providence County is **the dominant county in Rhode Island** — approximately **60% of the state's population** (~660K of RI's ~1.1M residents) lives here. The county is anchored by **Providence** (~190K — Rhode Island's capital and largest city, the "Renaissance City" for its post-1990s revitalization), home to **Brown University** (~10,000 students, founded 1764 as the 7th colonial college and an Ivy League member from inception) and the **Rhode Island School of Design** (RISD, ~2,500 students, founded 1877 — one of the most prestigious art and design schools in the United States). Providence's **Federal Hill** is among the most Italian-American neighborhoods in the United States. Other major cities/towns: **Cranston** (~84K — second-largest in the county), **Pawtucket** (~75K — home of the **Slater Mill Historic Site**, the 1793-built first successful water-powered cotton-spinning mill in the United States, recognized as the **birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution**, plus the headquarters of **Hasbro** the American toy company makers of Mr. Potato Head + Monopoly + GI Joe + Transformers + My Little Pony), **Woonsocket** (~43K — headquarters of **CVS Health**, the Fortune 5 American pharmacy retailer with ~$370B annual revenue), **East Providence** (~47K), **North Providence** (~33K), **Cumberland** (~36K), **Lincoln** (~22K — home of **Twin River Casino**), **Smithfield** (~22K — home of **Bryant University** ~3,500 students), and **Central Falls** (~22K — at 1.27 square miles and ~17,400 residents/sq mi, one of the densest cities in the United States outside the New York metro area). Major employment includes Brown University, Lifespan / Rhode Island Hospital (the state's largest employer), Care New England, **Hasbro** in Pawtucket, **CVS Health** in Woonsocket, RISD, Bryant University, and substantial professional services.

Note: Providence County effective property tax rates run approximately **1.85%** — among the higher in Rhode Island. The high rate reflects substantial municipal services (Providence operates one of the more elaborate municipal governments in New England outside Boston) plus the high cost of providing services to dense urban populations. **Providence's 40% residential exemption** (one of the most generous owner-occupied homestead exemptions in the United States, applied as a percentage AV reduction to qualifying primary residences) substantially reduces effective rates for owner-occupants vs investors/landlords. Median home values around $365K combined with the high effective rate produce median annual bills around $6,753.

Note: For relocation buyers: Providence County offers **the premier urban Rhode Island option** — substantial Brown University-and-RISD-anchored economy, the Federal Hill Italian-American culinary heritage (the Pane e Vino + Andino's + Costantino's Venda Ravioli + dozens of Italian-American restaurants), exceptional cultural amenities (the **Trinity Repertory Company** the Tony Award-winning regional theater since 1964, **WaterFire** the annual outdoor art installation since 1994 by Barnaby Evans drawing ~1M+ annual visitors, **Providence Performing Arts Center**), the 1763-founded **Touro Synagogue** in nearby Newport (the oldest synagogue in the United States — but it's in Newport County, not here), the **Providence Place mall**, the **Roger Williams Park** (the 427-acre park including the 1872-founded Roger Williams Park Zoo), and reasonable Boston commute (Providence to Boston ~50 mi via I-95, ~35-50 min via Amtrak from Providence Station to Boston South Station). The trade-off: aggressive housing prices in Providence and East Side neighborhoods (Providence East Side median home $725K), persistent post-industrial economic transition in Pawtucket / Central Falls / Woonsocket, persistent Providence political-corruption history (the former Mayor **Buddy Cianci** 1975-1984 + 1991-2002 — indicted twice and convicted twice while in office, served 4 years in federal prison 2002-2007 for racketeering — as one of the most colorful mayors in American history).

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 Providence County

Providence County contains 10 incorporated municipalities, ranging from Providence 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 Providence County is subject to Providence County's tax rolls, while the portion outside is subject to the adjacent county's.

City or town	Type	Population (2020)
Providence County seat	city	190,000
Cranston	city	84,000
Pawtucket	city	75,000
East Providence	city	47,000
Woonsocket	city	43,000
Cumberland	town	36,000
North Providence	town	33,000
Lincoln	town	22,000
Smithfield	town	22,000
Central Falls	city	22,000

About city-level property tax rates: The rate breakdown and calculator on this page reflect the Providence tax district. Other cities in Providence 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 Providence County (no county government — RI abolished county govt 1842; cities and towns assess) 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 Providence County

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

Weird fact

**Providence is the "Renaissance City"** — for the dramatic post-1990s urban revitalization centered on the **WaterFire** outdoor art installation (since 1994 by artist **Barnaby Evans**). WaterFire features approximately **80 floating bonfires** along the Providence and Woonasquatucket Rivers in downtown Providence — lit at sunset on weekend evenings May-October, drawing approximately **1+ million annual visitors**. The installation includes music + black-clad wood-tenders + gondolas + 5-hour fire-burning ritual. WaterFire was developed as part of the **Providence River Relocation Project** (1983-2007) — the $1+ billion infrastructure project that uncovered the rivers (which had been buried under the world's widest bridge, **the 1,147-foot-wide Crawford Street Bridge** named the world's widest bridge by Guinness 1996), relocated I-195 south, and created **Waterplace Park** + the **Providence Riverwalk** + the **Memorial Boulevard** + the **Burnside Park**. The project transformed downtown Providence from 1980s post-industrial decline into the American urban revitalization model. **Brown University** in Providence (founded **1764** as the 7th colonial college) is as: the **first college in the American colonies to admit students of any religion** (since founding); a **Ivy League** member; 8 Nobel laureate alumni/faculty; alumni including **John D. Rockefeller Jr.** (1897, the American philanthropist + namesake of countless American buildings + universities), **John F. Kennedy Jr.** (1983, the American magazine editor + son of President JFK), **Janet Yellen** (1967, the American Federal Reserve Chair + US Treasury Secretary 2021-2025), **Emma Watson** (2014, the British actress *Harry Potter* franchise), and dozens of American government + business + cultural leaders. The **Slater Mill Historic Site** in Pawtucket (1793-built by **Samuel Slater** the American "Father of the American Industrial Revolution") is **the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution** — as the first successful water-powered cotton-spinning mill in the United States, based on British textile manufacturing knowledge that Slater brought to America from England 1789 (through memory — as British law forbade export of textile machinery designs).

Hometown hero

Brown / RISD / Buddy Cianci / Hasbro / countless Providence County figures

**Buddy Cianci** (1941-2016 — Vincent Albert "Buddy" Cianci Jr.) is **one of the most colorful mayors in American history** — Mayor of Providence **1975-1984** (1st term, ousted by 1984 felony assault conviction for kidnapping + assault + use of a fireplace log on his estranged wife's alleged lover) + **1991-2002** (2nd term, ousted by 2002 federal RICO racketeering conviction — **Operation Plunder Dome** corruption sting). Cianci served 4 years in federal prison 2002-2007. **Cianci is for genuine credit for Providence revitalization**: the **Providence River Relocation Project** + **WaterFire** + **Providence Place mall** + downtown revitalization were 1990s achievements during his second term. Cianci's 2014 mayoral comeback campaign lost narrowly to **Jorge Elorza** — Cianci died of colon cancer 2 years later 2016. Cianci's radio show on WPRO + 2011 memoir *Politics and Pasta* are. **Other notable Providence County figures** include: **John D. Rockefeller Jr.** (1874-1960 — the American philanthropist, Brown 1897, son of Standard Oil founder), **John F. Kennedy Jr.** (1960-1999, Brown 1983, the American magazine editor), **H.P. Lovecraft** (1890-1937, the American horror writer Cthulhu Mythos, born + lived in Providence entire life), **Nelson Eddy** (1901-1967, the American baritone singer + actor, born Providence), **Cormac McCarthy** (1933-2023, the American novelist *Blood Meridian* + *No Country for Old Men* + *The Road* — Pulitzer Prize 2007 for *The Road*, born + grew up in Providence before family moved to Tennessee). Also **Hasbro's Hassenfeld brothers** (the 1923 Pawtucket-founded American toy company by Henry + Hilal + Herman Hassenfeld Polish-Jewish immigrants).

Biggest annual event

WaterFire + Brown / RISD culture + Federal Hill Italian heritage

The **WaterFire** (since 1994) draws approximately **1+ million annual visitors** to downtown Providence — as the American outdoor art installation + annual May-October sunset bonfire lighting ceremonies. The **Brown University** + **RISD** annual cultural programming (annual **RISD Fall Wintersession Show** + **Brown Commencement** + **PCA** Providence College Athletic events) draws 100,000+ annual visitors. The **Federal Hill Italian-American neighborhood** (annual **Federal Hill Stroll** + annual **Columbus Day celebration** + DePasquale Square) is as among the American Italian-American urban neighborhood cultural heritage centers. The **Roger Williams Park Zoo** in Providence (the 1872-founded American zoo — among the 10 oldest American zoos) draws 600,000+ annual visitors.

Property Tax in Providence County, 2026