10 Best Coastal Towns in New England
Looking to live by the water? Explore other coastal cities in New England.
Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,647
Population
24,484
Renter Mix
56% Rent
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.
Sunshine glancing through the leaves along this Newport neighborhood street gives a comfortable shady walkway.
Take a stroll down historic Thames St. for shopping and dining in Newport.
The Pell Bridge towers in Newport are among the tallest structures in Rhode Island.
Enjoy a coffee at The Cafe Corner in Newport's vibrant neighborhood, offering a cozy retreat.
Soak up the sun with friends and families at Easton Beach, situated in Newport, RI.
Take the local RIPTA public transportation to Providence, near Newport City Hall in Newport, RI.
Median Household Income
$80,751
Average: $105,388
Education
12,666
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
11,845
Workers Employed
Median Age
40 Years
Largest Age Group
25-34 Years
Approximately 17% of Residents
Under 20
18%
Over 65
22%
Housing Distribution
Newport has more renters than homeowners.
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
As of May 2026, the average apartment rent in Newport, RI is $1,649 for one bedroom, $2,059 for two bedrooms, and $2,152 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Newport has increased by 2.4% in the past year.
10 Best Coastal Towns in New England
Looking to live by the water? Explore other coastal cities in New England.
7 Best Places to Live in Rhode Island
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.
How to Soundproof Your Apartment
Noisy neighbors don’t have to win. These soundproofing tips work room by room.
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Newport, RI is for everyday living.
Not Walkable
Walkability
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
Fairly Bikeable
Bikeability
Public
Grades PK-5
716 Students
Frank E. Thompson Middle School
Public
Grades K-8
516 Students
Public
Grades K-8
516 Students
Public
Grades K-8
516 Students
Frank E. Thompson Middle School
Public
Grades K-8
516 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
633 Students
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
† 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 February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.