Real Estate Investing in Richmond, Rhode Island (02898)

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

Washington County • Population: 1,745 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 02898 (Richmond, RI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (66/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 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
  • Elevated vacancy: 8.1% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

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

What’s happening in Richmond, RI (02898)?

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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 $499,056
Avg Monthly Rent $1,764
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $111,167
% Renters 3.1%

Market Analysis: 02898 Richmond

Investors eyeing 02898 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $499K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

On the rental side, the numbers look inviting — $499K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 02898 is substantial and deserves full respect.

The gap between 02898 and stronger Richmond ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

A significant renter share of 3% in 02898 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

New investors are better served looking at Richmond's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 02898. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.

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 Richmond:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 67/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,764/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 02898

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
3.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+9.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$145,633/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $377,774 $1,960 3.7% +7.7% $188,887
3BR $507,473 $2,390 3.4% +8.9% $169,158
4BR $582,531 $2,750 3.4% +9.3% $145,633

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$522K$455K$388K$321K$254K$187KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 02898 Compare?

Metric 02898 Richmond Rhode Island
Home Value $499,056 $535,705 $487,363
5-Year CAGR 5.9% 6.3% 8.8%
Avg Rent $1,764 $1,807 -
Cap Rate 2.8% 2.6% -
💡 Why Invest in 02898? 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 02898 (Richmond, RI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 02898 (Richmond, RI)?

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.9%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $499,056
Monthly Rent $1,764
Price-to-Rent 23.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.2%
Cap Rate 2.8%
5-Year IRR 8.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.8%). 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
8.1%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 02898

Population: 1,745

💰 Median Household Income
$111,167
This area
$111,167
State
$92,091
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
3.1%
This area
3.1%
State
30.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.7%
This area
0.7%
State
3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
44.8%
This area
44.8%
State
38.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
45.7 years
This area
45.7 years
State
30.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
8.1%
This area
8.1%
State
13.0%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 87.1%
Other/Mixed 12.7%
Hispanic/Latino 8.0%
Black/African American 0.2%
👶 Under 18
12.3%
This area
12.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.3%
This area
19.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.9%
This area
3.9%
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 02898

A+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
12.0:1 Avg Class Size
$21,354 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Richmond Elementary School

📚 K – 04 Elementary
👥
373 Students
👨‍🏫
12.0:1 Class Size
💰
$21,354 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

2 Nearby 451 Off-Campus Students
B
University of Rhode Island
17,351 students · 7.9 mi
C
New England Institute of Technology
1,850 students · 13.0 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How strong is Richmond, RI for real estate investors?

Richmond, RI rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $499K and rents near $1,764/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

What investment strategy works best in Richmond, RI?

Most investors in Richmond, RI run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

How much is rent in Richmond, RI?

Rents in Richmond, RI run near $1,764/mo. Compared with median home prices of $499K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

Are landlord laws favorable in Richmond, RI?

Richmond, RI operates under RI law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect consistent treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

Are there empty rentals in Richmond, RI?

Richmond, RI sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader RI rental market.

You know 02898 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 02898 ranks in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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