salaryRent is higher than in 60% of U.S. cities. Incomes are on the low side for rents this high, so budgets feel tight. A typical house costs about 6.6 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Most households rent (74%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $74,000 a year. That is $36 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Rhode Island cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Rhode Island. It is number 9 of 15 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Central Falls?
Share of households by yearly income. 10.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Central Falls
| Size | Central Falls | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $780 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $921 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,285 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,568 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,207 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Central Falls overall?
Everyday prices in Rhode Island overall are 2% above the U.S. average (index 102.3, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Central Falls, so the Rhode Island figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Central Falls
Life in Central Falls
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Central Falls?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $593 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $352,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $35,210 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Central Falls, RI?
Renting in Central Falls costs a median of about $1,850 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Rhode Island median is $1,704.
How much do I need to make to live in Central Falls?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $74,000 a year, or $36 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Central Falls cheap or expensive?
Central Falls is rated Expensive: rent takes 41.8% of the typical household income of $53,154. It ranks 9th cheapest of 15 Rhode Island cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Central Falls?
The median homeowner in Central Falls pays $3,744 a year in property taxes, about 1.06% of the median home value.
Is Central Falls more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Rhode Island are 2% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Central Falls?
The median home value in Central Falls is $352,100, about 6.6 times the typical yearly household income.
22,701 people live in Central Falls. Numbers are typical (middle) values.