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City · 22,701 residents · Providence County, Rhode Island

Central Falls , Rhode Island

In Central Falls, a typical home is worth $352,100 and typical rent is $1,200 a month. Compared with all of Providence County, typical household income is 37% lower, typical rent is 9% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 31 points lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $352,100

    6% below the county

    13% below Rhode Island

    • Central Falls
    • Providence
    • Rhode Island

  • Typical rent

    $1,200a month

    9% below the county

    11% below Rhode Island

    • Central Falls
    • Providence
    • Rhode Island

  • Typical household income

    $49,285a year

    37% below the county

    44% below Rhode Island

    • Central Falls
    • Providence
    • Rhode Island

  • Households that own their home

    26%

    31 points below the county

    38 points below Rhode Island

    • Central Falls
    • Providence
    • Rhode Island

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$382,044
1.5% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$1,547 a month
5.5% more than 12 months ago

From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Central Falls is in Providence County. The FHA loan limit ($787,750 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Providence County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Central Falls apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. Central Falls has the lowest homeownership rate of the 16 cities in Rhode Island with more than 5,000 people: 26%.

  2. Central Falls has the lowest typical household income of the 16 cities in Rhode Island with more than 5,000 people: $49,285.

  3. Central Falls has the 2nd lowest typical rent of the 15 cities in Rhode Island with more than 5,000 people ($1,200).

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

The homes here

Housing in Central Falls

What homes there are in Central Falls, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

In Central Falls there is a bit of everything: no kind of home reaches half. The most common are buildings of 2 to 4 homes (64%), more than in Providence County (30%).

Year built

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes
Monthly rent with utilities

By rent, most homes in Central Falls cost less than HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,879): about 92%.

With a mortgage

$1,917 a month

Providence County: $2,152 a month

Without a mortgage

$905 a month

Providence County: $872 a month

Owners with a mortgage

71%

Providence County: 68%

Owning costs less in Central Falls: with a mortgage, the typical cost is $1,917 a month; in Providence County, $2,152. Without one, $905.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

The typical home value in Central Falls rose 121% since 2015–2019, more than in Providence County (60%).

Rents in Central Falls rose faster than in Providence County: 41% since 2015–2019, against 36%.

While home values in Central Falls changed +121% and rent +41%, the typical household income rose 49%.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureCentral FallsProvidence CountyRhode IslandUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimate4.0%4.2%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimate0.6%0.6%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimate3.0%2.2%3.4%
People per household 2.832.462.392.53
Drive alone 59%71%72%69%
Carpool 14%9%8%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimate2%2%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimate4%3%3%
Work from home 5%12%13%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate3%2%2%
Typical commute Unreliable estimate20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

More people live in each home here: 2.83 on average, against 2.46 in Providence County.

In Central Falls, 14% of workers share a car to get to work; in Providence County, 9%.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in Central Falls?

A typical home costs more than the typical income allows

We start with a typical home in Central Falls, worth $352,100, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 72% of the typical household income in Central Falls, which is $49,285 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $126,665 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Providence County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Central Falls. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $12,324 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$2,956

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$345,722
Total interest
$497,413
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $5,946 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,150 a month

  • Tight

    $1,150 to $1,479 a month

  • Hard

    more than $1,479 a month

    Your payment · 72%

Compared with the typical household income in Central Falls ($49,285 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$2,956
Principal & interest$2,342
Property tax$311
Home insurance$147
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$156

You need at least $12,324 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

The city and its county

Central Falls and Providence County

Central Falls is in Providence County, Rhode Island. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).

Central Falls's own numbers

Typical home value
$352,100
Typical monthly rent
$1,200
Typical yearly household income
$49,285
Households that own their home
26%
Effective property tax rate
1.06%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of Providence County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$787,750
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,879
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+65%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
0.4%

HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.

Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Providence County.

Everything about Providence County

Buying

Buying a home in Central Falls

A typical home in Central Falls is worth $352,100: 6% below the county and 13% below Rhode Island. With the typical household income in Central Falls ($49,285 a year), a typical home costs 7.1 times what the household earns in a year.

Years of income to pay for a typical home

The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.

  • Central Falls 7.1 years
  • Providence 4.7 years
  • Rhode Island 4.6 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Providence County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Providence County rose 116% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Providence County.

Period County Rhode Island U.S.
Last year (2025) +5.3% +5.4% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +65% +65% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +116% +112% +85%

The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

Central Falls next to Providence County, Rhode Island and the U.S.

Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • Central Falls $352,100
  • Providence $373,600
  • Rhode Island $404,200
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Central Falls $1,200
  • Providence $1,312
  • Rhode Island $1,342
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Central Falls $49,285
  • Providence $78,787
  • Rhode Island $87,796
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Central Falls next to Providence County and Rhode Island
Measure Central Falls Providence County Rhode Island U.S.
Typical home value $352,100 $373,600 $404,200 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $1,200 $1,312 $1,342 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $49,285 $78,787 $87,796 $80,734
Households that own their home 26% 57% 64% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $3,744 $4,683 $4,900 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 1.06% 1.25% 1.21% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 57% 47% 48% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Providence County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

Four ways to pay for a typical home in Central Falls

For a typical $352,100 home in Central Falls, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Central Falls's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $2,956a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $12,324
    Cash to close
    $22,887
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $156

  • Conventional, 5% down $2,891a month

    Down payment
    $17,605
    Cash to close
    $28,168
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $167

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $2,366a month

    Down payment
    $70,420
    Cash to close
    $80,983
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $2,691a month

    Down payment
    $52,815
    Cash to close
    $63,378
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.

  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Central Falls and for Providence County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Central Falls

1.06%of the home’s value each year

$3,744 a year for the typical owner in Central Falls.

  • Central Falls 1.06%
  • Providence 1.25%
  • Rhode Island 1.21%

What Rhode Island publishes Homestead exemption from your city or town (Rhode Island General Assembly (Rhode Island General Laws, Title 44))

Exemptions and deadlines in Rhode Island

Flood risk in Providence County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of Providence County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
0.4%
649
Of those, with NFIP insurance
58%
County Rhode Island U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 0.4% 3.7% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 58% 49% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Central Falls

Typical rent in Central Falls is $1,200 a month: 9% below the county. In Central Falls, 57% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Providence County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,879 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $36.13 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Providence County

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $1,423 $27.37 $56,920
1 bedroom $1,509 $29.02 $60,360
2 bedrooms $1,879 $36.13 $75,160
3 bedrooms $2,302 $44.27 $92,080
4 bedrooms $2,615 $50.29 $104,600

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

By ZIP code

Fair market rent by ZIP code in Central Falls

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Central Falls is in ZIP code 02863.

For 2 bedrooms it is $1,650: $229 less than the fair market rent for Providence County ($1,879).

  • 02863 $1,650$2,020

A ZIP code counts for Central Falls when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in Central Falls

HUD lists 9 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Central Falls. These are the largest.

  • Aime J Forand Manor 30 Washington St, Central Falls 02863 204 homes, 202 low-income · Run by Central Falls Housing Authority · Average payment: $438 a month · Average wait: 21 months (401) 648-8298
  • Blackstone Falls 1359A Broad St, Central Falls 02863 132 low-income homes · For older adults
  • Blackstone Falls 1485 High St, Central Falls 130 low-income homes · 1 bd: 112 · 2 bd: 18 · In service since 2005 · For older adults
  • Wilfrid Manor 466 Hunt St, Central Falls 02863 125 low-income homes · Run by Central Falls Housing Authority · Average payment: $426 a month · Average wait: 20 months (401) 648-8298
  • Rand Place 250 Rand St, Central Falls 02863 118 homes, 117 low-income · For older adults (401) 724-2815

See all 334 buildings in Providence County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Central Falls

You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.

There are 5 HUD-approved agencies with an office in Providence County; 5 say they serve in Spanish.

A young man and a young woman look something up together on a laptop.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Central Falls

1 program is for Central Falls or Providence County, by its own record: they come first, each with what its official page says about being open. The ones below are statewide in Rhode Island: they work in Central Falls the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in Rhode Island

  • FirstGenHomeRI

    For Central Falls

    Limited funds remain, per the source

    RIHousing pilot help of $25,000 for the down payment or closing costs of first-generation buyers who now live in certain cities; no interest or payments, and not repaid if you live in the home five years. Offered by RIHousing.

    Forgivable

    See the program Official page

  • 15kDPA

    Statewide in Rhode Island

    Rhode Island state agency loan of $15,000 at 0% with no monthly payments for the down payment or closing costs of first-time buyers with a RIHousing mortgage; repaid when you sell or leave the home. Offered by RIHousing.

    Deferred

    See the program Official page

  • Extra Assistance

    Statewide in Rhode Island

    RIHousing second mortgage for first-time buyers, of up to 6% of the price or $20,000 (whichever is less) for the down payment, which you repay over 15 years at the same rate as your RIHousing mortgage. Offered by RIHousing.

    Repayable

    See the program Official page

Housing counselors near Central Falls

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Central Falls, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • Pawtucket Central Falls Development Corporation

    204 Broad St, Pawtucket · 1 miles away · Spanish

    • Pre-purchase counseling
    • Homebuyer education workshops
    401-726-1173-12

  • Rhode Island Housing Help Center

    44 Washington St, Providence · 5 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    (401) 457-1000

  • West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation

    224 Dexter St, Providence · 6 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 6 more
    (401) 453-3220

Every agency in Providence County All counseling agencies in Rhode Island

Help in Spanish near Central Falls

3 of the 3 agencies on this list say they serve in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of Central Falls

HUD’s record names them for Central Falls or Providence County. They run public housing or Section 8 vouchers. Ask whether their waiting list is open.

  • Central Falls Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers (401) 648-8298

13 other authorities have an office in Providence County: see the list Source: HUD

Cities

Other cities in Providence County

These cities are also in Providence County. They share its loan limits and fair market rents, but home values and rent change from one to the next.

Everything about Providence County Housing in Rhode Island

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Central Falls, with the typical home value.

Neighboring counties

If Providence County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in Central Falls.

All guides
Three women of one family talk as they cook vegetables in the kitchen.

Questions

Housing questions about Central Falls

Short answers with the numbers for Central Falls and all of Providence County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.

How much does a typical home cost in Central Falls?

The typical home value in Central Falls is $352,100, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Providence County it is $373,600.

How much does it cost to rent in Central Falls?

Typical rent in Central Falls is $1,200 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Providence County is $1,879.

What is the FHA loan limit in Central Falls?

Central Falls uses the FHA limit for all of Providence County (2026): $787,750 for a one-unit home and $1,514,950 for a four-unit home.

How much property tax do owners pay in Central Falls?

The typical homeowner in Central Falls pays $3,744 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.06% of the home’s value; in Providence County, the rate is 1.25%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Central Falls?

There are 5 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Providence County. 5 say they serve in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).