Real Estate Investing in South Kingstown, Rhode Island (02879)

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

Washington County • Population: 22,628 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 02879 (South Kingstown, 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: 19.4% of homes vacant — above national norms.

What’s happening in South Kingstown, RI (02879)?

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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 $740,436
Avg Monthly Rent $2,570
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $112,409
% Renters 22.1%

Market Analysis: 02879 South Kingstown

ZIP 02879 inside Washington County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $740K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

The investment case in 02879 is solid only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $740K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Statewide comparisons place 02879 among RI's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

The demographic picture in 02879 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than South Kingstown averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

The 02879 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

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 South Kingstown:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 66/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,570/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 02879

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
2.5% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+10.0% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$199,888/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $441,751 $1,520 2.5% +8.1% $441,751
2BR $614,774 $1,880 2.2% +10.0% $307,387
3BR $685,833 $2,270 2.4% +9.2% $228,611
4BR $846,745 $2,700 2.3% +9.6% $211,686
5BR $999,438 +9.5% $199,888

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$779K$675K$572K$468K$364K$260KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,755$2,671$2,588$2,504$2,421$2,337Jun 2023Jan 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 02879 Compare?

Metric 02879 South Kingstown Rhode Island
Home Value $740,436 $719,390 $487,363
5-Year CAGR 7.5% 7.3% 8.8%
Avg Rent $2,570 $2,117 -
Cap Rate 2.7% 2.3% -
💡 Why Invest in 02879? Click to expand

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

📊 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.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 02879 (South Kingstown, RI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.5%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $740,436
Monthly Rent $2,570
Price-to-Rent 24.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.2%
Cap Rate 2.7%
5-Year IRR 10.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +2.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.7%). 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
19.4%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.5%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 02879

Population: 22,628

💰 Median Household Income
$112,409
This area
$112,409
State
$92,091
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
22.1%
This area
22.1%
State
30.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.1%
This area
4.1%
State
3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
58.3%
This area
58.3%
State
38.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
49.0 years
This area
49.0 years
State
30.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
19.4%
This area
19.4%
State
13.0%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 92.0%
Other/Mixed 4.9%
Hispanic/Latino 2.3%
Black/African American 1.5%
Asian 1.5%
👶 Under 18
16.6%
This area
16.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
26.8%
This area
26.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.1%
This area
3.1%
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 02879

A+ Avg School Grade
4 Schools
11.3:1 Avg Class Size
$26,652 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Broad Rock Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
546 Students
👨‍🏫
10.9:1 Class Size
💰
$26,652 Per Student
A+ Excellent

South Kingstown High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
735 Students
👨‍🏫
11.0:1 Class Size
💰
$26,652 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Matunuck School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
255 Students
👨‍🏫
10.2:1 Class Size
💰
$26,652 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Peace Dale School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
452 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$26,652 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

3 Nearby 451 Off-Campus Students
B
University of Rhode Island
17,351 students · 3.9 mi
C
IYRS School of Technology & Trades
76 students · 12.1 mi
C+
Salve Regina University
2,836 students · 12.6 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What real estate strategy is ideal for South Kingstown, RI?

In South Kingstown, RI the substantial play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $740K prices and $2,570/mo rents suits that approach.

How qualified is the tenant pool in South Kingstown, RI?

Tenant demand in South Kingstown, RI is solid. The local workforce $2,570/mo rents across most rental classes.

How strong are rents in South Kingstown, RI?

Rental rates in South Kingstown, RI average $2,570/mo. Tenant demand and $740K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

Is South Kingstown, RI good for house hacking?

The a challenging house-hack environment in South Kingstown, RI reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.

What are vacancy rates like in South Kingstown, RI?

Occupancy in South Kingstown, RI runs steady with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $2,570/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

You know 02879 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 02879 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.

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How 02879 ranks in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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