2026 Rankings

Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers in Rhode Island — 2026

Last updated: April 13, 2026

90 ZIP codes ranked by Purchase Risk #1: ZIP 02882 (Narragansett, RI) - 69/100
Lead Violations Lowest Score Safest Flood Risk Energy Cost Radon PFAS Reliability EJ Index Homebuyer Risk CO & Gas Safest Gas Remediation Burden Unresolved Violations (by Utility) Water Equity (by Utility)

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 42/100
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 67/100 54/100
3 02889 Warwick RI 63/100 49/100
4 02886 Warwick RI 62/100 54/100
5 02879 Wakefield RI 60/100 52/100
6 02891 Westerly RI 60/100 41/100
7 02876 Slatersville RI 58/100 74/100
8 02909 Providence RI 58/100 59/100
9 02833 Hopkinton RI 57/100 59/100
10 02904 Providence RI 56/100 54/100
11 02905 Providence RI 56/100 59/100
12 02804 Ashaway RI 55/100 69/100
13 02852 North Kingstown RI 55/100 54/100
14 02894 Wood River Junction RI 55/100 53/100
15 02907 Providence RI 54/100 64/100
16 02813 Charlestown RI 53/100 53/100
17 02822 Exeter RI 53/100 62/100
18 02840 Newport RI 53/100 67/100
19 02825 Foster RI 52/100 48/100
20 02903 Providence RI 50/100 64/100
21 02908 Providence RI 50/100 64/100
22 02910 Cranston RI 49/100 45/100
23 02816 Coventry RI 48/100 55/100
24 02871 Portsmouth RI 48/100 60/100
25 02872 Prudence Island RI 48/100 79/100
26 02906 Providence RI 48/100 64/100
27 02802 Albion RI 47/100 63/100
28 02893 West Warwick RI 47/100 40/100
29 02874 Saunderstown RI 46/100 60/100
30 02832 Hope Valley RI 45/100 64/100
31 02878 Tiverton RI 45/100 72/100
32 02807 Block Island RI 44/100 65/100
33 02808 Bradford RI 44/100 53/100
34 02831 Hope RI 44/100 45/100
35 02860 Pawtucket RI 44/100 78/100
36 02863 Central Falls RI 44/100 55/100
37 02895 Woonsocket RI 44/100 74/100
38 02912 Providence RI 44/100 65/100
39 02918 Providence RI 44/100 65/100
40 02885 Warren RI 42/100 84/100
41 02896 North Smithfield RI 42/100 74/100
42 02898 Wyoming RI 42/100 65/100
43 02919 Johnston RI 42/100 50/100
44 02858 Oakland RI 41/100 63/100
45 02842 Middletown RI 40/100 72/100
46 02809 Bristol RI 39/100 80/100
47 02826 Glendale RI 39/100 83/100
48 02917 Smithfield RI 39/100 76/100
49 02920 Cranston RI 39/100 45/100
50 02814 Chepachet RI 38/100 78/100
51 02864 Cumberland RI 38/100 78/100
52 02865 Lincoln RI 38/100 78/100
53 02914 East Providence RI 38/100 73/100
54 02861 Pawtucket RI 37/100 83/100
55 02911 North Providence RI 37/100 50/100
56 02806 Barrington RI 36/100 55/100
57 02818 East Greenwich RI 36/100 35/100
58 02815 Clayville RI 35/100 53/100
59 02835 Jamestown RI 35/100 71/100
60 02837 Little Compton RI 35/100 55/100
61 02873 Rockville RI 35/100 40/100
62 02841 Newport RI 34/100 82/100
63 02892 West Kingston RI 34/100 63/100
64 02881 Kingston RI 33/100 70/100
65 02916 Rumford RI 33/100 55/100
66 02875 Shannock RI 32/100 40/100
67 02915 Riverside RI 31/100 55/100
68 02824 Forestdale RI 30/100 53/100
69 02830 Harrisville RI 30/100 63/100
70 02857 North Scituate RI 30/100 63/100
71 02859 Pascoag RI 30/100 78/100
72 02812 Carolina RI 29/100 40/100
73 02828 Greenville RI 29/100 83/100
74 02817 West Greenwich RI 27/100 64/100
75 02838 Manville RI 27/100 63/100
76 02839 Mapleville RI 27/100 53/100
77 02827 Greene RI 26/100 63/100
78 02921 Cranston RI 24/100 55/100
79 02829 Harmony RI 16/100 53/100

Methodology

The Home Purchase Risk Score combines area indicators that may lead to added costs for homebuyers: water system violation records, lead service line indicators, county radon potential, flood zones and housing age. An indicator does not mean a home needs filtration, mitigation, insurance or upgrades; a home test or inspection decides that. 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: 2026-04-13.

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.

Explore More Rankings

How this ranking is calculated, data sources, and limitations: Rankings Methodology →

Related Rankings

Water Safety 2026 EPA violations and water quality scores Lead Risk 2026 Lead service-line indicators and system-level action-level exceedances Infrastructure 2026 Aging pipes, system age and remediation costs
Disclaimer: Rankings are based on EPA, FEMA, and federal agency data. They reflect historical patterns and risk indicators, not necessarily current conditions. For the most current information, contact your local water utility or request a Consumer Confidence Report.

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