10 Best Coastal Towns in New England
Looking to live by the water? Explore other coastal cities in New England.
Welcome to Newport, Rhode Island, where historic charm meets coastal elegance. As the "Sailing Capital of the World," Newport combines rich maritime heritage with modern coastal living. The rental market reflects the city's desirability, with one-bedroom apartments averaging $1,561, two-bedrooms at $1,953, and three-bedrooms at $2,057, showing year-over-year increases between 4.4% and 7.4%. Housing options include downtown apartments in preserved colonial buildings and waterfront residences overlooking the Atlantic.
Newport's waterfront defines daily life here. The Cliff Walk, stretching 3.5 miles along the shoreline, offers residents sweeping ocean views and glimpses of the city's magnificent Gilded Age mansions. Thames Street forms the heart of downtown, while The Point neighborhood showcases colonial-era architecture and tree-lined streets. Easton's Beach and Fort Adams State Park provide year-round recreation, with the park hosting the celebrated Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals. Newport Harbor exemplifies the city's maritime culture, where residents enjoy waterfront restaurants while watching sailing vessels navigate the bay. The presence of Salve Regina University and the Naval War College contributes to Newport's distinctive character, creating a community that honors its historic roots while embracing its coastal identity.
As of December 2025, the average apartment rent in Newport, RI is $1,710 for one bedroom, $2,084 for two bedrooms, and $2,198 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Newport has increased by 9.2% in the past year.
Looking to live by the water? Explore other coastal cities in New England.
Thinking about moving to Rhode Island but don’t know where to start? Explore our comprehensive guide to five of Rhode Island’s best cities.
Very Walkable
out of 100 WalkScore® Rating
If you enjoy walking, you’ll enjoy renting in this area! It’s a very walkable neighborhood.
Some Transit
out of 100 TransitScore® Rating
You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.
Bikeable
out of 100 BikeScore® Rating
While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.
Public
Grades 5-8
546 Students
Public
Grades PK-4
697 Students
Public
Grades 5-8
546 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
633 Students
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† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.