Real Estate Investing in South Kingstown, Rhode Island (02881)

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

Washington County • Population: 7,183 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 02881 (South Kingstown, RI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (41/100)

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
3 flags
  • High vacancy: 12.5% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Elevated poverty: 29.5% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 35.0 — 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 South Kingstown, RI (02881)?

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 $698,344
Avg Monthly Rent $1,665
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $62,829
% Renters 47.2%

Market Analysis: 02881 South Kingstown

ZIP 02881 in South Kingstown, RI carries a durable set of headwinds. Home values near $698K and rents of $1,665/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

For an experienced owner, 02881 can be a a solid fit for hunting ground — but the discount at $698K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Within RI, ZIP 02881 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Washington County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and sturdy enough to shape underwriting.

The demographic picture in 02881 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than South Kingstown averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

trends toward 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 South Kingstown:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 57/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 11.1× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,665/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
🏠

Property Strategy for 02881

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
4BR
2.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+9.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$181,301/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
3BR $642,524 $2,230 2.5% +9.4% $214,175
4BR $725,202 $2,650 2.6% +8.8% $181,301

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$732K$638K$544K$449K$355K$261KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 02881 Compare?

Metric 02881 South Kingstown Rhode Island
Home Value $698,344 $719,390 $487,363
5-Year CAGR 7.0% 7.3% 8.8%
Avg Rent $1,665 $2,117 -
Cap Rate 1.9% 2.3% -
💡 Why Invest in 02881? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 47% 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 02881 (South Kingstown, RI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 02881 (South Kingstown, RI)?

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

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
1.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.0%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $698,344
Monthly Rent $1,665
Price-to-Rent 35.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 2.9%
Cap Rate 1.9%
5-Year IRR 8.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 1.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.9%). 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
12.5%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.0%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 02881

Population: 7,183

💰 Median Household Income
$62,829
This area
$62,829
State
$92,091
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
47.2%
This area
47.2%
State
30.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.9%
This area
4.9%
State
3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
79.4%
This area
79.4%
State
38.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
19.8 years
This area
19.8 years
State
30.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
12.5%
This area
12.5%
State
13.0%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 77.4%
Asian 9.1%
Other/Mixed 7.7%
Black/African American 5.9%
Hispanic/Latino 3.4%
👶 Under 18
4.1%
This area
4.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
6.3%
This area
6.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
29.5%
This area
29.5%
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 02881

A Avg School Grade
1 Schools
12.7:1 Avg Class Size
$19,276 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

The Compass School

📚 K – 08 School Charter
👥
216 Students
👨‍🏫
12.7:1 Class Size
💰
$19,276 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

4 Nearby 451 Off-Campus Students
B
University of Rhode Island
17,351 students · 0.2 mi
C
IYRS School of Technology & Trades
76 students · 11.0 mi
C+
Salve Regina University
2,836 students · 11.7 mi
C
New England Institute of Technology
1,850 students · 12.5 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What approach is best for South Kingstown, RI real estate?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in South Kingstown, RI. The numbers - $698K homes against $1,665/mo rents - support that play.

How deep is the rental pool in South Kingstown, RI?

Expect a solid tenant pool in South Kingstown, RI. The rental market absorbs $1,665/mo rents without meaningful friction.

Are eviction rules reasonable in South Kingstown, RI?

For rental operators, South Kingstown, RI rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

Does house hacking work in South Kingstown, RI?

House hacking works a challenging in South Kingstown, RI. Rents of $1,665/mo against $698K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

What is the average home sale price in South Kingstown, RI?

Typical homes in South Kingstown, RI go for around $698K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% even-keeled price movement.

You know 02881 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 02881 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 02881 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 02881 (South Kingstown)

Loading...

Community Ratings

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

Be the first to rate 02881 (South Kingstown, RI).

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