Out of 90 ZIP codes with data in Rhode Island, these are the highest-ranked areas for purchase risk. See also: National Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers — Hidden Risk Factors | All Rhode Island Rankings
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| ZIP codes ranked | 90 |
| Highest value | 69/100 |
| Median value | 43/100 |
| State | Rhode Island |
Top 90 Worst ZIP Codes
| Rank | ZIP Code | City | State | Purchase Risk | Safety Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 02882 | Narragansett | RI | 69/100 | 33/100 |
| 2 | 02888 | Warwick | RI | 68/100 | 54/100 |
| 3 | 02836 | Kenyon | RI | 64/100 | 53/100 |
| 4 | 02889 | Warwick | RI | 64/100 | 49/100 |
| 5 | 02886 | Warwick | RI | 63/100 | 54/100 |
| 6 | 02891 | Westerly | RI | 62/100 | 41/100 |
| 7 | 02879 | Wakefield | RI | 61/100 | 52/100 |
| 8 | 02876 | Slatersville | RI | 59/100 | 74/100 |
| 9 | 02909 | Providence | RI | 59/100 | 59/100 |
| 10 | 02804 | Ashaway | RI | 57/100 | 69/100 |
| 11 | 02833 | Hopkinton | RI | 57/100 | 59/100 |
| 12 | 02904 | Providence | RI | 57/100 | 54/100 |
| 13 | 02905 | Providence | RI | 57/100 | 59/100 |
| 14 | 02894 | Wood River Junction | RI | 56/100 | 53/100 |
| 15 | 02852 | North Kingstown | RI | 55/100 | 54/100 |
| 16 | 02907 | Providence | RI | 55/100 | 64/100 |
| 17 | 02822 | Exeter | RI | 54/100 | 62/100 |
| 18 | 02840 | Newport | RI | 54/100 | 67/100 |
| 19 | 02813 | Charlestown | RI | 53/100 | 53/100 |
| 20 | 02825 | Foster | RI | 53/100 | 48/100 |
| 21 | 02887 | Warwick | RI | 53/100 | 64/100 |
| 22 | 02880 | Wakefield | RI | 51/100 | 67/100 |
| 23 | 02903 | Providence | RI | 51/100 | 64/100 |
| 24 | 02908 | Providence | RI | 51/100 | 64/100 |
| 25 | 02910 | Cranston | RI | 50/100 | 45/100 |
| 26 | 02816 | Coventry | RI | 49/100 | 55/100 |
| 27 | 02871 | Portsmouth | RI | 49/100 | 60/100 |
| 28 | 02872 | Prudence Island | RI | 49/100 | 79/100 |
| 29 | 02906 | Providence | RI | 49/100 | 64/100 |
| 30 | 02802 | Albion | RI | 48/100 | 63/100 |
| 31 | 02893 | West Warwick | RI | 48/100 | 40/100 |
| 32 | 02874 | Saunderstown | RI | 46/100 | 60/100 |
| 33 | 02878 | Tiverton | RI | 46/100 | 72/100 |
| 34 | 02807 | Block Island | RI | 45/100 | 65/100 |
| 35 | 02808 | Bradford | RI | 45/100 | 53/100 |
| 36 | 02831 | Hope | RI | 45/100 | 45/100 |
| 37 | 02832 | Hope Valley | RI | 45/100 | 64/100 |
| 38 | 02860 | Pawtucket | RI | 45/100 | 78/100 |
| 39 | 02863 | Central Falls | RI | 45/100 | 55/100 |
| 40 | 02895 | Woonsocket | RI | 45/100 | 74/100 |
| 41 | 02912 | Providence | RI | 45/100 | 65/100 |
| 42 | 02918 | Providence | RI | 45/100 | 65/100 |
| 43 | 02885 | Warren | RI | 43/100 | 84/100 |
| 44 | 02896 | North Smithfield | RI | 43/100 | 74/100 |
| 45 | 02898 | Wyoming | RI | 43/100 | 65/100 |
| 46 | 02919 | Johnston | RI | 43/100 | 50/100 |
| 47 | 02823 | Fiskeville | RI | 42/100 | 40/100 |
| 48 | 02858 | Oakland | RI | 42/100 | 63/100 |
| 49 | 02809 | Bristol | RI | 40/100 | 80/100 |
| 50 | 02826 | Glendale | RI | 40/100 | 83/100 |
| 51 | 02842 | Middletown | RI | 40/100 | 72/100 |
| 52 | 02917 | Smithfield | RI | 40/100 | 76/100 |
| 53 | 02920 | Cranston | RI | 40/100 | 45/100 |
| 54 | 02814 | Chepachet | RI | 39/100 | 78/100 |
| 55 | 02864 | Cumberland | RI | 39/100 | 78/100 |
| 56 | 02865 | Lincoln | RI | 39/100 | 78/100 |
| 57 | 02914 | East Providence | RI | 39/100 | 73/100 |
| 58 | 02861 | Pawtucket | RI | 38/100 | 83/100 |
| 59 | 02911 | North Providence | RI | 38/100 | 50/100 |
| 60 | 02806 | Barrington | RI | 37/100 | 55/100 |
| 61 | 02818 | East Greenwich | RI | 37/100 | 35/100 |
| 62 | 02815 | Clayville | RI | 36/100 | 53/100 |
| 63 | 02901 | Providence | RI | 36/100 | 65/100 |
| 64 | 02902 | Providence | RI | 36/100 | 69/100 |
| 65 | 02940 | Providence | RI | 36/100 | 69/100 |
| 66 | 02835 | Jamestown | RI | 35/100 | 71/100 |
| 67 | 02837 | Little Compton | RI | 35/100 | 55/100 |
| 68 | 02841 | Newport | RI | 35/100 | 82/100 |
| 69 | 02873 | Rockville | RI | 35/100 | 40/100 |
| 70 | 02892 | West Kingston | RI | 35/100 | 63/100 |
| 71 | 02881 | Kingston | RI | 34/100 | 70/100 |
| 72 | 02916 | Rumford | RI | 34/100 | 55/100 |
| 73 | 02875 | Shannock | RI | 32/100 | 40/100 |
| 74 | 02915 | Riverside | RI | 32/100 | 55/100 |
| 75 | 02824 | Forestdale | RI | 31/100 | 53/100 |
| 76 | 02830 | Harrisville | RI | 31/100 | 63/100 |
| 77 | 02857 | North Scituate | RI | 31/100 | 63/100 |
| 78 | 02859 | Pascoag | RI | 31/100 | 78/100 |
| 79 | 02812 | Carolina | RI | 30/100 | 40/100 |
| 80 | 02828 | Greenville | RI | 30/100 | 83/100 |
| 81 | 02817 | West Greenwich | RI | 28/100 | 64/100 |
| 82 | 02838 | Manville | RI | 28/100 | 63/100 |
| 83 | 02839 | Mapleville | RI | 28/100 | 53/100 |
| 84 | 02827 | Greene | RI | 27/100 | 63/100 |
| 85 | 02921 | Cranston | RI | 25/100 | 55/100 |
| 86 | 02862 | Pawtucket | RI | 23/100 | 83/100 |
| 87 | 02877 | Slocum | RI | 22/100 | 53/100 |
| 88 | 02883 | Peace Dale | RI | 22/100 | 40/100 |
| 89 | 02801 | Adamsville | RI | 19/100 | 63/100 |
| 90 | 02829 | Harmony | RI | 17/100 | 53/100 |
Methodology
The Home Purchase Risk Score combines environmental hazards that create unexpected costs for homebuyers: water system violations requiring filtration, lead service lines requiring replacement, radon requiring mitigation systems, flood zones requiring insurance, and aging infrastructure requiring upgrades. These are factors that standard home inspections may not fully capture.
Data sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), FEMA National Flood Insurance Program, EPA radon zone maps, EIA electricity rates, and Consumer Confidence Reports. Last updated: 2026-06-04.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Home Purchase Risk Score?
This score (0-100) estimates the hidden environmental costs a homebuyer may face: water filtration needs, lead pipe replacement, radon mitigation, flood insurance, and infrastructure upgrades. Higher scores mean more potential unexpected expenses after purchase.
What should homebuyers do in high-risk ZIP codes?
Request a water quality test, check for lead service lines with the utility, test for radon before closing, verify FEMA flood zone designation, and factor in potential remediation costs ($5,000-$30,000+) to your budget.
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