RI Has the 5th Highest Tax Burden in U.S.
GoLocalProv Business Team
RI Has the 5th Highest Tax Burden in U.S.

According to analysis by WalletHub, Rhode Island's effective tax rate is more than 2.5 times higher than the lowest state -- Alaska.
"As you might expect, differences in state tax obligations — as well as the services for which tax dollars are allocated — can drive residents out of or draw them in to a state and thus impact the strength of local economies. Such trends are evident among professional athletes and retirees, for example, groups that often relocate to Florida or Texas for the income-tax breaks they offer," according to WalletHub.
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Methodology of the study:
In order to identify the states with the highest and lowest tax rates, WalletHub’s analysts compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across four types of taxation:
Real-Estate Tax: To calculate this tax, we first divided the “Median Real-Estate Tax Amount Paid” by the “Median Home Price” in each state. We then applied the resulting rates to a house worth $175,700, the median value for a home in the U.S., in order to obtain the dollar amount paid as real-estate tax.
Vehicle Property Tax: To calculate this tax, we examined data for cities and counties collectively accounting for at least 50 percent of the state’s population and extrapolated this to the state level using weighted averages based on population size. For each state, we assumed all residents own the same car: the 2016 Toyota Camry LE four-door sedan, 2015’s highest-selling car, valued at $23,070.
Income Tax: To calculate this tax, we used the percentage of income (middle income rate) spent on income tax from WalletHub’s Best States to Be Rich or Poor from a Tax Perspective report. More specifically, we used the mean third quintile income amount of $53,889.
Sales & Excise Tax: To calculate this tax, we used the percentage of income (middle income rate) spent on sales and excise taxes from WalletHub’s Best States to Be Rich or Poor from a Tax Perspective report. More specifically, we used the mean third quintile income amount of $53,889.
RI Communities with the Highest Tax Rates #39 - #1
#39 New Shoreham
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $5.21
Commercial: $5.21
Personal Property: $5.21
Motor Vehicle: $9.75
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $1,000.32
For 2008 Honda Accord: $147.71
Total Taxes as % Median Income: $1.29%
Note: Real property is assessed at 80 percent of value. This is reflected in the community's ranking.
#38 Little Compton
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $5.38
Commercial: $5.38
Personal Property: $10.76
Motor Vehicle: $13.90
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $1,291.20
For 2008 Honda Accord: $210.59
Total Taxes as % Median Income: 1.56%
#37 Jamestown
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $8.75
Commercial: $8.75
Personal Property: $8.75
Motor Vehicle: $14.42
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $2,100.00
For 2008 Honda Accord: $218.46
Total Taxes as % Median Income: $2.84%
#36 Charlestown
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $9.46
Commercial: $9.46
Personal Property: $9.46
Motor Vehicle: $13.08
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $2,270.40
For 2008 Honda Accord: $198.16
Total Taxes as % Median Income: 3.56%
#35 Narragansett
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $9.80
Commercial: $14.68
Personal Property: $14.68
Motor Vehicle: $16.46
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $2,352.00
For 2008 Honda Accord: $249.37
Total Taxes as % Median Income: 4.06%
#34 Bristol
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $12.80
Commercial: $12.80
Personal Property: $12.80
Motor Vehicle: $17.35
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $3,072.00
For 2008 Honda Accord: $262.85
Total Taxes as % Median Income: 5.18%
#33 Portsmouth
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $14.53
Commercial: $14.53
Personal Property: $14.53
Motor Vehicle: $22.50
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $3,487.20
For 2008 Honda Accord: $238.61
Total Taxes as % Median Income: 4.87%
Note: Motor vehicles are assessed at 70 percent of value. This is reflected in the community's ranking.
#32 Westerly
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $10.53
Commercial: $10.53
Personal Property: $10.53
Motor Vehicle: $29.67
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $2,527.20
For 2008 Honda Accord: $449.50
Total Taxes as % Median Income: 4.93%
#31 South Kingstown
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $15.47
Commercial: $15.47
Personal Property: $15.47
Motor Vehicle: $18.71
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $3,712.80
For 2008 Honda Accord: $283.46
Total Taxes as % Median Income: 5.39%
#30 Newport
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $11.71
Commercial: $16.23
Personal Property: $16.23
Motor Vehicle: $23.45
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $2,810.40
For 2008 Honda Accord: $355.27
Total Taxes as % Median Income: 5.45%
#29 Middletown
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $15.71
Commercial: $20.87
Personal Property: $15.71
Motor Vehicle: $16.05
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $3,770.40
For 2008 Honda Accord: $243.16
Total Taxes as % Median Income: 5.58%
#28 Exeter
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $14.72
Commercial: $14.72
Personal Property: $14.72
Motor Vehicle: $32.59
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $3,532.80
For 2008 Honda Accord: $493.74
Total Taxes as % Median Income: 3.93%
#27 Tiverton
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $19.37
Commercial: $19.37
Personal Property: $19.37
Motor Vehicle: $19.14
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $4,648.80
For 2008 Honda Accord: $289.97
Total Taxes as % Median Income: 7.75%
#26 Richmond
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $19.76
Commercial: $19.76
Personal Property: $19.76
Motor Vehicle: $22.64
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $4,742.40
For 2008 Honda Accord: $274.40
Total Taxes as % Median Income: 6.33%
Note: Motor vehicles are assessed at 80 percent of value. This is reflected in the community's ranking.
#25 North Kingstown
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $18.80
Commercial: $18.80
Personal Property: $18.80
Motor Vehicle: $22.04
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $4,512.00
For 2008 Honda Accord: $333.91
Total Taxes as % Median Income: 6.18%
#24 Coventry
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $18.66
Commercial: $22.49
Personal Property: $18.66
Motor Vehicle: $18.75
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $4,478.40
For 2008 Honda Accord: $284.06
Total Taxes as % Median Income: 7.11%
#23 Cumberland
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $15.78
Commercial: $15.78
Personal Property: $28.86
Motor Vehicle: $19.87
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $3,787.20
For 2008 Honda Accord: $301.03
Total Taxes as % Median Income: 5.62%
#22 Hopkinton
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $19.77
Commercial: $19.77
Personal Property: $19.77
Motor Vehicle: $21.18
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $4,744.80
For 2008 Honda Accord: $320.88
Total Taxes as % Median Income: 7.80%
#21 Warren
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $18.67
Commercial: $18.67
Personal Property: $18.67
Motor Vehicle: $26.00
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $4,480.80
For 2008 Honda Accord: $393.90
Total Taxes as % Median Income: 9.15%
#20 East Greenwich
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $22.90
Commercial: $22.90
Personal Property: $22.90
Motor Vehicle: $22.88
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $5,496.00
For 2008 Honda Accord: $346.63
Total Taxes as % Median Income: 6.05%
#19 Burrillville
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $18.58
Commercial: $18.58
Personal Property: $18.58
Motor Vehicle: $40.00
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $4,459.20
For 2008 Honda Accord: $606.00
Total Taxes as % Median Income: 7.35%
#18 Barrington
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $18.20
Commercial: $18.20
Personal Property: $18.20
Motor Vehicle: $42.00
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $4,368.00
For 2008 Honda Accord: $636.30
Total Taxes as % Median Income: 5.07%
#17 West Greenwich
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $22.55
Commercial: $22.55
Personal Property: $33.85
Motor Vehicle: $19.02
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $4,600.20
For 2008 Honda Accord: $288.15
Total Taxes as % Median Income: 5.81%
Note: Does not include rate for vacant land which is $16.07. Has homestead exemption.
#16 Foster
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $20.40
Commercial: $20.40
Personal Property: $28.03
Motor Vehicle: $36.95
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $4,896.00
For 2008 Honda Accord: $559.79
Total Taxes as % Median Income: 7.00%
#15 Scituate
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $33.37
Commercial: $43.20
Personal Property: $39.75
Motor Vehicle: $30.20
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $4,484.40
For 2008 Honda Accord: $434.65
Total Taxes as % Median Income: 6.01%
Note: Real property is assessed at only 50 percent of value and motor vehicles are assessed at 95 percent of value. This is reflected in the community's ranking.
#14 Glocester
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $21.24
Commercial: $24.14
Personal Property: $42.29
Motor Vehicle: $24.37
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $5,097.60
For 2008 Honda Accord: $369.21
Total Taxes as % Median Income: 7.10%
#13 North Smithfield
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $15.86
Commercial: $17.57
Personal Property: $42.75
Motor Vehicle: $37.62
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $3,806.40
For 2008 Honda Accord: $569.94
Total Taxes as % Median Income: 5.54%
#12 Lincoln
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $23.49
Commercial: $26.85
Personal Property: $36.89
Motor Vehicle: $30.66
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $3,664.44
For 2008 Honda Accord: $464.50
Total Taxes as % Median Income: 5.57%
Note: Has homestead exemption.
#11 Warwick
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $19.79
Commercial: $29.68
Personal Property: $39.58
Motor Vehicle: $34.60
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $4,749.60
For 2008 Honda Accord: $524.19
Total Taxes as % Median Income: 8.79%
#10 West Warwick
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential Rates:
- For apartments with 6+ units: $35.26
- For two to five family buildings: $35.26
- For single family homes: $24.67
Commercial: $29.98
Personal Property: $39.00
Motor Vehicle: $28.47
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $5,920.80
For 2008 Honda Accord: $431.32
Total Taxes as % Median Income: 12.70%
Note: For ranking purposes, the average of the three residential rates was used.
#9 Cranston
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $22.84
Commercial: $34.26
Personal Property: $34.26
Motor Vehicle: $42.44
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $5,481.60
For 2008 Honda Accord: $642.97
Total Taxes as % Median Income: 10.48%
#8 Smithfield
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $17.52
Commercial: $17.52
Personal Property: $61.06
Motor Vehicle: $39.00
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $4,204.80
For 2008 Honda Accord: $590.85
Total Taxes as % Median Income: 6.54%
#7 East Providence
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $22.78
Commercial: $25.21
Personal Property: $56.25
Motor Vehicle: $37.10
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $4,647.12
For 2008 Honda Accord: $562.07
Total Taxes as % Median Income: 10.54%
Note: Rates are for FY 2013. Has homestead exemption.
#6 Johnston
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $28.75
Commercial: $28.75
Personal Property: $59.22
Motor Vehicle: $41.46
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $5,520.00
For 2008 Honda Accord: $628.12
Total Taxes as % Median Income: 11.20%
Note: Has homestead exemption.
#5 Pawtucket
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $23.06
Commercial: $30.88
Personal Property: $52.09
Motor Vehicle: $53.30
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $5,534.40
For 2008 Honda Accord: $807.50
Total Taxes as % Median Income: 16.00%
#4 North Providence
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $24.29
Commercial: $31.03
Personal Property: $69.41
Motor Vehicle: $41.95
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $4,663.68
For 2008 Honda Accord: $635.54
Total Taxes as % Median Income: 10.55%
Note: Has homestead exemption.
#3 Woonsocket
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $34.56
Commercial: $39.81
Personal Property: $46.58
Motor Vehicle: $46.58
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $4,976.64
For 2008 Honda Accord: $705.69
Total Taxes as % Median Income: 14.45%
Note: Has homestead exemption.
#2 Providence
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential Rates:
- For owner-occupied residential property: $19.25
- For non-owner-occupied residential property: $33.75
Commercial: $36.75
Personal Property: $55.80
Motor Vehicle: $60.00
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $4,620.00
For 2008 Honda Accord: $909.00
Total Taxes as % Median Income: 14.21%
Note: For ranking purposes, the average of the two residential rates was used.
#1 Central Falls
FY 2014 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $25.72
Commercial: $37.06
Personal Property: $73.11
Motor Vehicle: $48.65
Tax Cost for Residents
For a single family home valued at $240,000: $4,728.36
For 2008 Honda Accord: $737.05
Total Taxes as % Median Income: 14.43%
Note: Has homestead exemption.
