Real Estate Investing in North Smithfield, Rhode Island (02896)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Providence County • Population: 11,683 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 02896 (North Smithfield, RI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (64/100)

Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 30.6 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in North Smithfield, RI (02896)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $522,700
Avg Monthly Rent $1,422
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $100,669
% Renters 18.2%

Market Analysis: 02896 North Smithfield

Investors eyeing 02896 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $523K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

On balance, the numbers look inviting — $523K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 02896 is substantial and deserves full respect.

From a cash-flow lens, 02896 offers a low basis, the region around North Smithfield has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

From a cash-flow lens, 11,683 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

The right play in 02896 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in North Smithfield:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 66/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,422/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
🏠

Property Strategy for 02896

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
4BR
2.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+7.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$127,918/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $403,057 $1,280 2.3% +6.6% $403,057
2BR $442,195 $1,580 2.6% +7.1% $221,098
3BR $513,903 $1,910 2.7% +7.2% $171,301
4BR $607,916 $2,270 2.7% +7.5% $151,979
5BR $639,590 +7.0% $127,918

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$545K$480K$415K$351K$286K$221KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 02896 Compare?

Metric 02896 North Smithfield Rhode Island
Home Value $522,700 $522,700 $487,363
5-Year CAGR 5.2% 5.2% 8.8%
Avg Rent $1,422 $1,422 -
Cap Rate 2.1% 2.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 02896? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 02896 (North Smithfield, RI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Providence County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Ferland Corporation provides professional management services for over 2,600 apartment units in the Rhode Island area, offering quality apartments and amenities. summary from their website

Small multifamily
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Zanno Property Management offers residential and multi-family property management services in Providence, including marketing, resident screening, rent collection, maintenance, accounting, and evictio summary from their website

Single-familySmall multifamily
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Avellino Construction & Property Management offers property management, general contracting, investments & lending, and rentals in Providence, RI. summary from their website

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Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.1%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.2%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $522,700
Monthly Rent $1,422
Price-to-Rent 30.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.3%
Cap Rate 2.1%
5-Year IRR 7.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.1%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
4.2%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.2%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 02896

Population: 11,683

💰 Median Household Income
$100,669
This area
$100,669
State
$92,091
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
18.2%
This area
18.2%
State
30.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.7%
This area
2.7%
State
3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
29.5%
This area
29.5%
State
38.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
47.0 years
This area
47.0 years
State
30.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.2%
This area
4.2%
State
13.0%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 95.9%
Other/Mixed 2.7%
Hispanic/Latino 1.2%
Asian 1.0%
Black/African American 0.4%
👶 Under 18
17.5%
This area
17.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.9%
This area
20.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
1.6%
This area
1.6%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 02896

A+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
13.3:1 Avg Class Size
$19,968 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

North Smitfield HS

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
547 Students
👨‍🏫
12.7:1 Class Size
💰
$19,968 Per Student
A+ Excellent

North Smithfield Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
601 Students
👨‍🏫
14.7:1 Class Size
💰
$19,968 Per Student
A+ Excellent

North Smithfield MS

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
492 Students
👨‍🏫
12.6:1 Class Size
💰
$19,968 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby 185 Off-Campus Students
C+
Bryant University
3,592 students · 3.7 mi
C
Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln
703 students · 4.4 mi
C
New England Tractor Trailer Training School of Rhode Island
487 students · 9.8 mi
C+
Rhode Island College
5,767 students · 10.0 mi
B
Providence College
4,635 students · 10.7 mi
C+
Tri County Regional Vocational Technical High School
64 students · 10.7 mi
C
Dean College
1,151 students · 11.0 mi
C
Empire Beauty School-Warwick
132 students · 12.3 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the rental occupancy rate in North Smithfield, RI?

Occupancy in North Smithfield, RI runs reliable with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $1,422/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

What do landlords charge for rent in North Smithfield, RI?

Expect rents around $1,422/mo per month in North Smithfield, RI. With home values at $523K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

What is the typical renter like in North Smithfield, RI?

Tenant quality in North Smithfield, RI ranks as solid. Landlords generally report predictable occupancy at market rents of $1,422/mo.

Can owner-occupants cash flow in North Smithfield, RI?

North Smithfield, RI is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $523K price point reasonable to enter.

What type of investing works in North Smithfield, RI?

Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in North Smithfield, RI. With home values at $523K and rents near $1,422/mo, other strategies can work but produce even-keeled rather than outsized returns.

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How 02896 ranks in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA

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Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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