Real Estate Investing in Middletown, Rhode Island (02842)

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

Newport County • Population: 16,920 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 02842 (Middletown, RI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (50/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 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 vacancy: 12.8% of homes vacant — above national norms.

What’s happening in Middletown, RI (02842)?

Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.

✨ Live AI + Web Search
Want to ask your own questions? Upgrade to Pro for unlimited custom queries.
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 $766,307
Avg Monthly Rent $3,214
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $97,555
% Renters 40.7%

Market Analysis: 02842 Middletown

Investors eyeing 02842 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $766K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

The investment case in 02842 is impressive only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $766K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Within RI, ZIP 02842 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Newport County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and resilient enough to shape underwriting.

Who lives in 02842 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

seems to the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

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 Middletown:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 64/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 7.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $3,214/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 02842

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+11.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$235,178/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $513,952 $1,750 2.5% +8.4% $513,952
2BR $612,160 $2,290 2.7% +10.5% $306,080
3BR $705,533 $3,100 3.2% +10.3% $235,178
4BR $944,312 $3,560 2.7% +11.0% $236,078
5BR $1,429,032 +11.9% $285,806

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$816K$705K$594K$483K$372K$261KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$3,450$3,237$3,024$2,811$2,598$2,385Feb 2024May 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 02842 Compare?

Metric 02842 Middletown Rhode Island
Home Value $766,307 $766,307 $487,363
5-Year CAGR 7.4% 7.4% 8.8%
Avg Rent $3,214 $3,214 -
Cap Rate 3.3% 3.3% -
💡 Why Invest in 02842? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 41% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
Open the Market Finder →
Free to search · investor plans from $19/mo

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 02842 (Middletown, RI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 02842 (Middletown, RI)?

~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.3%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.4%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $766,307
Monthly Rent $3,214
Price-to-Rent 19.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.0%
Cap Rate 3.3%
5-Year IRR 10.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +13.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.3%). 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
12.8%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.4%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 02842

Population: 16,920

💰 Median Household Income
$97,555
This area
$97,555
State
$92,091
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
40.7%
This area
40.7%
State
30.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.8%
This area
2.8%
State
3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
47.9%
This area
47.9%
State
38.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
44.3 years
This area
44.3 years
State
30.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
12.8%
This area
12.8%
State
13.0%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 79.7%
Other/Mixed 11.4%
Hispanic/Latino 7.0%
Black/African American 6.3%
Asian 2.5%
👶 Under 18
18.6%
This area
18.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
22.6%
This area
22.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.1%
This area
6.1%
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 02842

A+ Avg School Grade
5 Schools
12.5:1 Avg Class Size
$23,126 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Middletown High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
562 Students
👨‍🏫
11.5:1 Class Size
💰
$23,126 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Aquidneck School

📚 Pre-K – 03 Elementary
👥
303 Students
👨‍🏫
13.8:1 Class Size
💰
$23,126 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Forest Avenue School

📚 K – 03 Elementary
👥
309 Students
👨‍🏫
12.4:1 Class Size
💰
$23,126 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Gaudet Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
457 Students
👨‍🏫
12.0:1 Class Size
💰
$23,126 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Gaudet Learning Academy

📚 04 – 05 Elementary
👥
273 Students
👨‍🏫
13.0:1 Class Size
💰
$23,126 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

6 Nearby 451 Off-Campus Students
C
IYRS School of Technology & Trades
76 students · 3.2 mi
C+
Salve Regina University
2,836 students · 3.4 mi
C
Roger Williams University
4,344 students · 9.2 mi
C
Roger Williams University School of Law
517 students · 9.3 mi
B
University of Rhode Island
17,351 students · 13.2 mi
C
Rob Roy Academy-Fall River
98 students · 14.0 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What real estate strategy is ideal for Middletown, RI?

In Middletown, RI the resilient play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $766K prices and $3,214/mo rents suits that approach.

Can owner-occupants cash flow in Middletown, RI?

House hacking works a challenging in Middletown, RI. Rents of $3,214/mo against $766K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

How much do tenants pay in Middletown, RI?

Middletown, RI rentals go for roughly $3,214/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $766K acquisition costs.

What is the rental occupancy rate in Middletown, RI?

Vacancy in Middletown, RI is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $3,214/mo.

How much should I expect to pay for a home in Middletown, RI?

Homes in Middletown, RI typically sell near $766K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which reliable long-term demand.

You know 02842 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 02842 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

Compare Plans

How 02842 ranks in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 02842 (Middletown)

Loading...

Community Ratings

What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.

Be the first to rate 02842 (Middletown, RI).

It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.