Economy, jobs and prices in Rhode Island, United States: official figures
The economy of Rhode Island (gross domestic product) was worth $88.2 billion in 2025 at current prices, 0.3% of the US total of $30.86 trillion; 7th smallest of 51. In current dollars it was up 6.0% on 2024.
How fast is the economy of Rhode Island growing?
After adjusting for inflation, real GDP in Rhode Island grew 2.8% in 2025, against 2.3% for the United States; 12th fastest-growing of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat is the GDP per capita of Rhode Island?
Dividing 2025 GDP by the Census Bureau's population estimate gives $79,174 of output per resident, against $90,294 for the US economy divided by the population of the 50 states and DC; 20th lowest of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyIs the economy of Rhode Island growing or shrinking?
In the second quarter of 2026, real GDP in Rhode Island grew at an annual rate of 0.9% (United States: 2.2%); 16th slowest-growing of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat are the main industries in Rhode Island?
In 2025 the largest private industry in Rhode Island's economy was real estate, rental and leasing (13.9% of GDP), followed by finance and insurance (12.7%) and health care and social assistance (10.0%). Government accounted for 11.9% and manufacturing for 7.0%; the manufacturing share was 13th lowest of 51 (United States: 9.5%).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyHow much do people in Rhode Island spend?
Consumer spending (personal consumption expenditures) in Rhode Island came to $60,999 per person in 2025 (United States: $61,062); 22nd highest of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyIs Rhode Island expensive to live in?
Prices in Rhode Island were 2.3% above the national average in 2024, by BEA's regional price parity of 102.3 (US = 100), which covers goods, services and housing; 15th most expensive of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat is the inflation rate in Rhode Island?
Prices in Rhode Island rose 2.8% in 2024, measured by BEA's implicit regional price deflator, against 2.6% nationally (PCE price index).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat is the per capita income in Rhode Island?
Personal income per person in Rhode Island was $75,233 in 2025, against $77,028 for the United States; 23rd highest of 51. It was up 4.5% on 2024 and up 26.9% on 2020, before inflation.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat is the disposable income per person in Rhode Island?
After taxes, disposable personal income per person was $65,818 in 2025 (United States: $67,251); 24th highest of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyHow far does income go in Rhode Island?
Adjusted for local price levels, real personal income per person in Rhode Island was $55,878 in 2024 in 2017 dollars (United States: $59,195); 17th lowest of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat is the median household income in Rhode Island?
Median household income in Rhode Island was $83,504 in 2024 (margin of error ±$3,548), against $81,604 for the United States; 18th highest of 51 by the point estimate. It was not statistically different from 2023 after adjusting for inflation (American Community Survey).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow unequal are incomes in Rhode Island?
The Gini index of household income inequality in Rhode Island was 0.472 in 2024 (0 means equal incomes, 1 means one household has everything; United States: 0.481); tied for 17th most unequal of 51.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Rhode Island?
The unemployment rate in Rhode Island was 3.6% in September 2026 (seasonally adjusted, preliminary), down from 4.3% a year earlier; tied for 20th lowest of 51. The rate for the 50 states and DC combined was 4.2%.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyHow many people are unemployed in Rhode Island?
In September 2026, 20,783 people in Rhode Island were unemployed and 556,251 employed, out of a labor force of 577,034.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyWhat was the unemployment rate in Rhode Island in 2025?
Over 2025 the unemployment rate in Rhode Island averaged 4.5% (an 11-month average: October 2025 was not collected during the federal shutdown), against 4.2% in 2024; tied for 13th highest of 51. The lowest annual rate since 1976 was 3.0% in 1988.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyWhat is the average salary in Rhode Island?
Workers covered by unemployment insurance in Rhode Island were paid $71,123 on average in 2025 ($1,368 a week), up 4.2% on 2024; the US average was $78,720. That is 23rd highest of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyHow many jobs are there in Rhode Island?
Employers in Rhode Island had an average of 499,321 jobs on their payrolls in 2025 across 49,285 establishments, up 0.8% on 2024 (United States: up 0.5%).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median wage in Rhode Island?
The median annual wage across all occupations in Rhode Island was $56,780 in May 2025 (mean $71,900); 13th highest of 51. One in ten workers earned less than $32,470 and one in ten more than $128,120.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyWhat is the most common job in Rhode Island?
The most common occupation in Rhode Island in May 2025 was fast food and counter workers, with 13,310 workers and a median annual wage of $31,490.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median household income in Rhode Island?
Median household income in Rhode Island was $83,250 in 2024, 19th highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: $81,604). In 2019 it was $70,383, so it has risen 18.3% before allowing for inflation.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the average rent in Rhode Island?
The median gross rent in Rhode Island, including utilities, was $1,418 a month in 2024, up 3.9% on 2023 ($1,365); 22nd highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: $1,487).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the median home value in Rhode Island?
Homeowners in Rhode Island valued their homes at a median of $455,700 in 2024, up 10.7% on 2023 ($411,800); 11th highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: $360,600).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow affordable are homes in Rhode Island?
The median home value in Rhode Island was 5.5 times the median household income in 2024 ($455,700 against $83,250); 12th highest ratio among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 4.4).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyIs rent affordable in Rhode Island?
A household on the median income in Rhode Island would spend 20.4% of its income on the median rent of $1,418 a month in 2024 (U.S.: 21.9%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Rhode Island compares with other states
Gross domestic product, 2025 (current dollars) (2025)
Rhode Island ranks 45 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Gross domestic product, 2025 (current dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 42 | Delaware | $121.9 billion |
| 43 | West Virginia | $111.3 billion |
| 44 | Maine | $101.7 billion |
| 45 | Rhode Island | $88.2 billion |
| 46 | North Dakota | $82.3 billion |
| 47 | South Dakota | $82.0 billion |
| 48 | Montana | $80.9 billion |
GDP per resident, 2025 (BEA GDP / Census population) (2025)
Rhode Island ranks 32 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | GDP per resident, 2025 (BEA GDP / Census population) |
|---|---|---|
| 29 | Wisconsin | $80,160 |
| 30 | Tennessee | $80,137 |
| 31 | North Carolina | $80,007 |
| 32 | Rhode Island | $79,174 |
| 33 | Kansas | $77,961 |
| 34 | Indiana | $77,790 |
| 35 | Arizona | $77,665 |
Real GDP growth, 2025 (2025)
Rhode Island ranks 12 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Real GDP growth, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Texas | 2.8% |
| 10 | West Virginia | 2.8% |
| 11 | Florida | 2.8% |
| 12 | Rhode Island | 2.8% |
| 13 | Utah | 2.7% |
| 14 | Illinois | 2.6% |
| 15 | New York | 2.5% |
Real GDP growth, 2026:Q2 (annual rate) (2026:Q2)
Rhode Island ranks 36 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Real GDP growth, 2026:Q2 (annual rate) |
|---|---|---|
| 33 | Virginia | 1.2% |
| 34 | Arkansas | 1.1% |
| 35 | Colorado | 1.0% |
| 36 | Rhode Island | 0.9% |
| 37 | Oregon | 0.8% |
| 38 | District of Columbia | 0.8% |
| 39 | Kentucky | 0.7% |
Personal income per person, 2025 (2025)
Rhode Island ranks 23 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Personal income per person, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | Nebraska | $76,055 |
| 21 | Vermont | $75,723 |
| 22 | Pennsylvania | $75,370 |
| 23 | Rhode Island | $75,233 |
| 24 | Nevada | $73,767 |
| 25 | Oregon | $73,283 |
| 26 | Texas | $73,156 |
Real personal income per person, 2024 (adjusted for local prices, 2017 dollars) (2024)
Rhode Island ranks 35 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Real personal income per person, 2024 (adjusted for local prices, 2017 dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 32 | Nevada | $56,503 |
| 33 | North Carolina | $56,310 |
| 34 | Ohio | $56,232 |
| 35 | Rhode Island | $55,878 |
| 36 | Indiana | $55,562 |
| 37 | Oregon | $55,451 |
| 38 | Arkansas | $55,219 |
Median household income, 2024 (ACS) (2024)
Rhode Island ranks 18 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Median household income, 2024 (ACS) |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Minnesota | $87,117 |
| 16 | New York | $85,820 |
| 17 | Oregon | $85,220 |
| 18 | Rhode Island | $83,504 |
| 19 | Illinois | $83,211 |
| 20 | Vermont | $82,730 |
| 21 | Arizona | $81,486 |
Regional price parity, 2024 (US = 100) (2024)
Rhode Island ranks 15 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Regional price parity, 2024 (US = 100) |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Oregon | 103.4 |
| 13 | Colorado | 103.1 |
| 14 | Alaska | 102.4 |
| 15 | Rhode Island | 102.3 |
| 16 | Virginia | 101.1 |
| 17 | Arizona | 100.7 |
| 18 | Nevada | 100.0 |
Unemployment rate, September 2026 (seasonally adjusted) (September 2026)
Rhode Island ranks 32 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate, September 2026 (seasonally adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 29 | Virginia | 3.6% |
| 30 | Missouri | 3.6% |
| 31 | Idaho | 3.6% |
| 32 | Rhode Island | 3.6% |
| 33 | Alabama | 3.5% |
| 34 | Utah | 3.5% |
| 35 | Ohio | 3.4% |
Unemployment rate, 2025 annual average (2025)
Rhode Island ranks 15 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate, 2025 annual average |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Kentucky | 4.6% |
| 13 | Massachusetts | 4.5% |
| 14 | South Carolina | 4.5% |
| 15 | Rhode Island | 4.5% |
| 16 | New York | 4.3% |
| 17 | Pennsylvania | 4.3% |
| 18 | Arizona | 4.3% |
Labor force participation rate, September 2026 (September 2026)
Rhode Island ranks 27 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Labor force participation rate, September 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | Connecticut | 62.1% |
| 25 | Vermont | 62.1% |
| 26 | Washington | 62.0% |
| 27 | Rhode Island | 62.0% |
| 28 | Oklahoma | 61.9% |
| 29 | California | 61.4% |
| 30 | Idaho | 61.4% |
Average annual pay, 2025 (QCEW) (2025)
Rhode Island ranks 23 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Average annual pay, 2025 (QCEW) |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | Arizona | $72,894 |
| 21 | Florida | $72,772 |
| 22 | North Carolina | $71,533 |
| 23 | Rhode Island | $71,123 |
| 24 | Michigan | $70,809 |
| 25 | Hawaii | $70,649 |
| 26 | Tennessee | $70,409 |
Median annual wage, all occupations, May 2025 (OEWS) (May 2025)
Rhode Island ranks 13 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Median annual wage, all occupations, May 2025 (OEWS) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | California | $58,240 |
| 11 | Oregon | $57,000 |
| 12 | Minnesota | $56,920 |
| 13 | Rhode Island | $56,780 |
| 14 | Vermont | $56,390 |
| 15 | Hawaii | $56,320 |
| 16 | New Hampshire | $55,880 |
Median household income (2024)
Rhode Island ranks 19 of 51, highest first. Census Bureau SAIPE model estimates
| Rank | Region | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | New York | $85,768 |
| 17 | Oregon | $84,897 |
| 18 | Illinois | $83,327 |
| 19 | Rhode Island | $83,250 |
| 20 | Vermont | $82,836 |
| 21 | Arizona | $81,404 |
| 22 | Nevada | $81,129 |
Median gross rent (monthly) (2024)
Rhode Island ranks 22 of 51, highest first. Renter-occupied units paying cash rent
| Rank | Region | Median gross rent (monthly) |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | Georgia | $1,506 |
| 20 | Texas | $1,475 |
| 21 | Alaska | $1,444 |
| 22 | Rhode Island | $1,418 |
| 23 | Idaho | $1,384 |
| 24 | North Carolina | $1,338 |
| 25 | Illinois | $1,322 |
Median value of owner-occupied homes (2024)
Rhode Island ranks 11 of 51, highest first. Owner-reported value
| Rank | Region | Median value of owner-occupied homes |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Oregon | $497,500 |
| 9 | New Jersey | $496,000 |
| 10 | New Hampshire | $458,800 |
| 11 | Rhode Island | $455,700 |
| 12 | Nevada | $455,500 |
| 13 | New York | $449,800 |
| 14 | Idaho | $446,400 |
More on Rhode Island: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · the United States
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: Household Income in States and Metropolitan Areas: 2024 (ACSBR-025), Appendix Table 1: median household income and Gini index by state, 2023 and 2024 American Community Survey, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5de1b0d5ec46…)
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis: SASUMMARY: State annual summary statistics: personal income, GDP, consumer spending, price indexes, and employment (updated 30 September 2026), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 a3757d207c05…)
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis: SAGDP: Annual GDP by state, 1997-2025 (table SAGDP2, GDP in current dollars by industry), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 3d3c5bc7bd24…)
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis: SQGDP: Quarterly GDP by state, 2005-2026 Q2 (table SQGDP11, percent change in real GDP at annual rate), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1649260cdceb…)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Local Area Unemployment Statistics: employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population, states, monthly, seasonally adjusted, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 7bb6f18d4145…)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Local Area Unemployment Statistics: employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population, states, annual averages 1976-2025, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 262aba7d00df…)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 state estimates (state_M2025_dl.xlsx), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 74d5be0e1df8…)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages, all industries (open data CSV slice), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5a5f89142aae…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates, table-based summary file: Median gross rent (B25064), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 8624f9775add…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates, table-based summary file: Median value of owner-occupied homes (B25077), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 27120d5d8a5f…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE): 2024 poverty and median household income, states and counties, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 cb52c47d75c1…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.