Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Kent County, Rhode Island
Kent County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,879 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $1,327 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $36.13 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,879
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 2% less than in Rhode Island
- Typical rent
- $1,327
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 1% less than in Rhode Island
- Wage needed
- $36.13
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $75,160 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 50%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 3% more than in Rhode Island
Fair market rent
What HUD sets for each size
Every year HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) publishes a Fair Market Rent (FMR) for each home size in Kent County. It is used to work out how much a Section 8 voucher covers. The table shows what you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income.
The fair market rent covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone. HUD generally sets it at the 40th percentile: 4 in 10 standard-quality homes rented recently cost less. 24 CFR §888.113(a)
According to Zillow (ZORI), the typical asking rent in Kent County was $2,192 a month in September 2026: 2.7% more than 12 months ago. It is an index of market listings, not a HUD limit. Zillow data
| Size | Fair rent per month | Hourly wage | Income needed per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
HUD area: Providence-Fall River, RI-MA HUD Metro FMR Area. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
The fair market rent for your ZIP code
HUD also publishes fair market rents by ZIP code (Small Area FMRs) for 8 ZIP codes in Kent County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,760 in 02888 to $2,820 in 02827. 5 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,879).
Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses. 24 CFR §982.503(a)(1)
| 02816 | $1,380 | $1,460 | $1,820 | $2,230 | $2,530 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02817 | $2,140 | $2,260 | $2,820 | $3,450 | $3,920 |
| 02818 | $1,570 | $1,660 | $2,070 | $2,540 | $2,880 |
| 02827 | $2,140 | $2,260 | $2,820 | $3,450 | $3,920 |
| 02886 | $1,630 | $1,730 | $2,150 | $2,630 | $2,990 |
| 02888 | $1,330 | $1,410 | $1,760 | $2,160 | $2,450 |
| 02889 | $1,510 | $1,600 | $1,990 | $2,440 | $2,770 |
| 02893 | $1,370 | $1,450 | $1,810 | $2,220 | $2,520 |
- 02816 $1,820$2,230
- 02817 $2,820$3,450
- 02818 $2,070$2,540
- 02827 $2,820$3,450
- 02886 $2,150$2,630
- 02888 $1,760$2,160
- 02889 $1,990$2,440
- 02893 $1,810$2,220
Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)
Rent burden
How many households spend too much
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Kent County, 50% of renter households are in that position; in Rhode Island, 48%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).
Paying too much rent leaves little for food, transportation and savings. If that is you, the agencies below can guide you for free.
50%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
19,608 households rent in Kent County
- Spend half or more of their income 24%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 26%
- Spend less than 30% 50%
Compared with the state and the country
- Kent 50%
- Rhode Island 48%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Kent County
HUD lists 46 properties with homes for low-income households in Kent County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC), HUD-assisted buildings and public housing. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest.
- with tax credits (LIHTC)
- 10
- HUD-assisted
- 27
- public housing
- 9
4,066 homes in all; 3,914 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Woodland Apartments HUD-assisted 1 Viero Ln, Coventry 02816 276 homes, 207 low-income · For families · (401) 823-4560
- Greenwich Village HUD-assisted 300 Lambert Lind Hwy, Warwick 02886 201 homes, 200 low-income · For older adults · (401) 732-3226
- Knotty Oak Village Public housing 1202 Carley Dr, Coventry 02816 195 low-income homes · Run by Coventry Housing Authority · Average payment: $570 a month · Average wait: 42 months · (401) 828-4367
- Meadowbrook Terrace Public housing 2220 Warwick Ave, Warwick 02889 180 low-income homes · Run by Warwick Housing Authority · Average payment: $445 a month · Average wait: 22 months · (401) 732-8500
- Sparrows Point III HUD-assisted 355 Hardig Rd, Warwick 02886 176 homes, 175 low-income · For older adults
- Westcott Terrace HUD-assisted 319 Providence St, West Warwick 02893 156 homes, 155 low-income · For older adults · (401) 828-1490
- Warwick Terrace Public housing 25 Easton Ave, Warwick 02888 153 homes, 151 low-income · Run by Warwick Housing Authority · Average payment: $454 a month · Average wait: 12 months · (401) 732-8500
- Sparrows Point I HUD-assisted 311 Hardig Rd, Warwick 02886 151 homes, 150 low-income · For older adults · (401) 884-9335
- Sparrows Point II HUD-assisted 777 Cowesett Rd, Warwick 02886 151 homes, 150 low-income · For older adults
- W Warwick Manor Public housing 62 Roberts St, West Warwick 02893 126 low-income homes · Run by West Warwick Housing Authority · Average payment: $500 a month · Average wait: 9 months · (401) 822-9430
- Clyde Tower Public housing 1021 Main St, West Warwick 02893 124 low-income homes · Run by West Warwick Housing Authority · Average payment: $460 a month · Average wait: 10 months · (401) 822-9430
- West Shore Terrace Public housing 3070 W Shore Rd, Warwick 02886 124 low-income homes · Run by Warwick Housing Authority · Average payment: $447 a month · Average wait: 11 months · (401) 732-8500
- Elms Tax credit (LIHTC) 63 Cowesett Ave, West Warwick 120 low-income homes · 1 bd: 57 · 2 bd: 51 · 3 bd: 12 · In service since 2002 · For families
- The Elms HUD-assisted 59 Cowesett Ave, West Warwick 02893 120 low-income homes · For families
- Shoreside HUD-assisted 300 6th Ave, East Greenwich 02818 107 homes, 106 low-income · For older adults
- Shalom Apts HUD-assisted 1 Shalom Dr, Warwick 02886 101 homes, 100 low-income · For older adults · (401) 738-4414
- Echo Valley HUD-assisted 56 Maple Ave, West Warwick 02893 100 low-income homes · For families · (401) 828-6096
- Echo Valley Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 56 Maple Ave, West Warwick 100 low-income homes · 1 bd: 60 · 2 bd: 20 · 3 bd: 20 · In service since 2019 · For families
- Hardig Brook Village HUD-assisted 331 Centerville Rd, Warwick 02886 100 low-income homes · For older adults · (401) 738-8272
- Hardig Brook Village Tax credit (LIHTC) 331 Centerville Rd, Warwick 100 homes, 97 low-income · 1 bd: 90 · 2 bd: 10 · In service since 2010 · For older adults
- Cranberry Pond HUD-assisted 955 Post Rd, Warwick 02888 97 low-income homes · For older adults · (401) 781-8018
- Deangelis Manor I HUD-assisted 825 Wakefield St, West Warwick 02893 96 low-income homes · For older adults · (401) 828-8040
- Matthew XXV HUD-assisted 359 Greenwich Ave, Warwick 02886 95 homes, 94 low-income · For older adults
- Parkview Terrace Tax credit (LIHTC) 72 Gough Ave, West Warwick 83 low-income homes · 1 bd: 58 · 2 bd: 25 · In service since 1995
- Deangelis Manor II HUD-assisted 845 Wakefield St, West Warwick 02893 80 low-income homes · For older adults · (401) 828-8040
- Trafalgar East Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 5300 Post Rd, East Greenwich 80 low-income homes · Studio: 18 · 1 bd: 46 · 2 bd: 16 · In service since 2002 · For older adults, families
- Plaza Esperanza HUD-assisted 58 Tiogue Ave, West Warwick 02893 56 low-income homes · For older adults
- Greenwood Terrace Tax credit (LIHTC) 2426 Post Rd, Warwick 53 low-income homes · 1 bd: 49 · 2 bd: 4 · In service since 1998 · For older adults
- Greenwood Terrace HUD-assisted 2426 Post Rd, Warwick 02886 53 low-income homes · For older adults · (401) 739-2315
- Shalom II HUD-assisted 2 Shalom Dr, Warwick 02886 53 low-income homes · For older adults · (401) 738-4414
- Wildberry Apartments HUD-assisted 95 Archambault Ave, West Warwick 02893 47 low-income homes · For older adults · (401) 941-2900
- Coventry Meadows Tax credit (LIHTC) 22 Edith St, Coventry 44 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 20 · 3 bd: 16 · In service since 2012 · For families
- Warwick Ha Public housing 82 Abbey Ave, Warwick 02888 36 low-income homes · Run by Warwick Housing Authority · Average payment: $800 a month · Average wait: 85 months · Homes at several sites · (401) 732-8500
- Regal Court Tax credit (LIHTC) 33 Long St, East Greenwich 35 low-income homes · 1 bd: 34 · 2 bd: 1 · In service since 1997 · For older adults, people with disabilities
- Golden Ridge HUD-assisted 1 Contentment Dr, Coventry 02816 34 low-income homes · For older adults
- Saint Elizabeth Terrace HUD-assisted 140 Warwick Neck Ave, Warwick 02889 34 low-income homes · For older adults
- Crossroads Tax credit (LIHTC) 311 Lacolle Ln, Coventry 32 low-income homes · 1 bd: 4 · 2 bd: 16 · 3 bd: 12 · In service since 2003
- Marlborough Crossing Public housing 146 1st Ave, East Greenwich 02818 28 low-income homes · Run by East Greenwich Housing Authority · Average payment: $704 a month · (401) 885-2610
- Shawomet Terrace Public housing 1035 W Shore Rd, Warwick 02889 26 low-income homes · Run by Warwick Housing Authority · Average payment: $617 a month · Average wait: 22 months · (401) 732-8500
- Brookside Terrace I HUD-assisted 1470 S County Trl, East Greenwich 02818 48 homes, 18 low-income · (401) 715-2833
- Foxfire HUD-assisted 46 Eddy St, West Warwick 02893 18 homes, 16 low-income · For families · (401) 595-0845
- Brookside Terrace II HUD-assisted 1476 S County Trl, East Greenwich 02818 48 homes, 12 low-income · (401) 715-2834
- CROSSROADS ll APARTMENTS HUD-assisted 18 Roberts St, West Warwick 02893 12 homes, 10 low-income · For people with disabilities · (401) 586-6734
- School House Place Tax credit (LIHTC) 1515 W Shore Rd, Warwick 7 low-income homes · 2 bd: 4 · 3 bd: 3 · In service since 1997 · For families
- George Galen Wheeler House, Inc. HUD-assisted 57 Fair St, Warwick 02888 5 low-income homes · For people with disabilities
- Thomas Wilbur Homestead HUD-assisted 3188 Post Rd, Warwick 02886 5 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (401) 463-3324
Source: HUD, retrieved November 6, 2026. LIHTC database, updated May 14, 2025; Assisted multifamily properties, updated October 23, 2026; Public housing developments, updated October 23, 2026.
Section 8
The Section 8 voucher in Kent County
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. Your public housing agency runs it. 5 agencies serve in Kent County. Here is what the rules say:
The rules, with their source
-
You apply at the public housing agency. If you qualify, your name usually goes on a waiting list. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or noncitizens with eligible status as HUD defines it. Source: HUD
-
Generally, your family must have very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income, by family size (the middle column of the table). Source: 24 CFR §5.603, §982.201(b)
-
Each year, at least 75% of the families an agency admits from its list must have extremely low income (the 30% column). Source: 24 CFR §982.201(b)(2)
-
If the rent is below the payment standard, the family generally pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. If it is above, the family pays more. Source: 24 CFR §982.1(a)(3)
-
When you move in, if the rent is above the payment standard, your share cannot go over 40% of your adjusted monthly income. Source: 24 CFR §982.508
-
Each agency sets a payment standard for each size. Without asking HUD, it can go from 90% to 110% of the fair market rent. Source: 24 CFR §982.503(b), (c)
| People | Extremely low (30%) | Very low (50%) | Low |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $23,600 | $39,250 | $62,800 |
| 2 people | $26,950 | $44,850 | $71,800 |
| 3 people | $30,300 | $50,450 | $80,750 |
| 4 people | $33,650 | $56,050 | $89,700 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $60,550 | $96,900 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $65,050 | $104,100 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $69,550 | $111,250 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $74,000 | $118,450 |
Area median income: $112,100. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Providence-Fall River, RI-MA HUD Metro FMR Area. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $1,281 – $1,565
- 1 bedroom $1,358 – $1,660
- 2 bedrooms $1,691 – $2,067
- 3 bedrooms $2,072 – $2,532
- 4 bedrooms $2,354 – $2,877
The range the rule allows: 90% to 110% of the county's fair market rent. Your agency publishes its own.
Housing agencies that serve this place
- Warwick Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 349 vouchers · 517 public housing units (401) 732-8500 Warwick Housing Authority: paulam@warwickhousing.org
- Coventry Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 282 vouchers · 195 public housing units (401) 828-4367 Coventry Housing Authority: jleddy@coventryhousing.org
- West Warwick Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 127 vouchers · 250 public housing units (401) 822-9430 West Warwick Housing Authority: sjo@westwarwickha.org
- East Greenwich Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 292 vouchers · 28 public housing units (401) 885-2610 East Greenwich Housing Authority: tjohnson@eghousing.com
- Kent County Mental Health Center Section 8 vouchers · 75 vouchers (401) 738-1338 Kent County Mental Health Center: tdellasandro@thrivebhri.org
Housing agencies in Rhode Island Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026
Your rights as a tenant in Rhode Island
What Rhode Island law says about deposits, notices and eviction, with the citation for each rule.
See your rights, rule by ruleCompare these rules with other states →
A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.
- How much can they charge for a deposit?
- Up to 1 month of rent
- R.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-19(a)
- When must they return my deposit?
- 20 days
- R.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-19(b)
- If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
- 5 days
- R.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-35(a)
- How much notice before a rent increase?
- 60 or 120 days, depending on the case
- R.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-16.1(a)-(b)
- Only a court order can remove youR.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-44
- Protection from retaliationR.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-46(a)-(b)
- Protection related to immigration statusR.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-62
Help
Where to get help with rent in Kent County
This is the nearest HUD-approved agency. They counsel for free or at low cost.
-
Neighborworks Blackstone River Valley
719 Front St Unit 103, Woonsocket · 22 miles away · Spanish
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 6 more
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Kent County. Change the rent, the deposit and the fees to yours: the numbers stay in your browser.
Count power on top of the rent: in Rhode Island, the average home bill was $162 a month in 2024 (EIA). See electricity and gas costs
Your move
We use the place's fair market rent and the state's deposit rule.
Adjust advanced details
Let's do the math
Cash to move in
$3,758
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,879
- Security deposit
- $1,879
- Total
- $3,758
When you'll have it
Enter what you can set aside each month to see how long it takes.
What helps
- Ask for a receipt for every payment and keep a copy of the lease.
- On move-in day, walk through the home and take dated photos.
- Never send money for a home you haven't seen or a lease you haven't read.
This is a planning estimate, not a price. What you are asked for depends on the landlord, your lease and your state's and city's rules. It is not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fair market rent in Kent County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $1,423; 1 bedroom: $1,509; 2 bedrooms: $1,879; 3 bedrooms: $2,302; 4 bedrooms: $2,615. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Kent County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,879) without spending more than 30% of income takes $36.13 an hour full time, or $75,160 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Kent County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $56,050 a year (Fiscal year 2026). The family usually pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. You apply at the housing agency.
How much does Section 8 pay in Kent County?
The voucher pays up to your housing agency's payment standard, minus your share. The rule lets the agency set it between 90% and 110% of the fair market rent: for 2 bedrooms here, between $1,691 and $2,067 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Kent County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,760 in 02888 to $2,820 in 02827. Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses.
How many low-income apartments are there in Kent County?
HUD lists 46 properties with homes for low-income households in Kent County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC), HUD-assisted buildings and public housing. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest. For tax-credit apartments and HUD-assisted buildings, you apply directly at the building's management office. They tell you whether units are open and how to apply; HUD does not have that information.
How many households spend too much on rent in Kent County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Kent County, 50% of renter households are in that position; in Rhode Island, 48%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).