Living in Bristol, Rhode Island
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Bristol · Census data 2020–2024
Bristol has 22,220 residents with a median age of 43. The median household income is $97,764 (11% higher than the Rhode Island median), the median home value is $485,000, the median rent is $1,579/month.
Bristol at a glance
- Population
- 22,220
- Median age
- 43State: 40.6
- Median household income
- $97,764State: $87,796
- Median home value
- $485,000State: $404,200
- Median rent
- $1,579/moState: $1,342
- Homeowners
- 66.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 47.6%
- Average commute
- 25 min
Is Bristol a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 11% higher than the Rhode Island median; an average commute of 25 minutes; unemployment of 2.8%; a poverty rate of 6.5%.
Cons: Home values 20% higher than the state median.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Bristol
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Bristol the median home value is $485,000, 46% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,579 per month, which is 27% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,306 a month in housing costs.
Bristol median household income
The median household income in Bristol is $97,764 and the income per person is $52,739. 6.5% of residents live below the poverty line (Rhode Island: 11.2%).
Housing in Bristol: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 9,510
- Owner-occupied
- 66.1%
- Renter-occupied
- 33.9%
- Vacant
- 8.2%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1964
- Average household size
- 2.18
Bristol demographics
- Population
- 22,220
- Median age
- 43
- Under 18
- 12.9%
- 65 and older
- 22.9%
- Households
- 8,731
- Foreign-born
- 9.1%
- Veterans
- 6.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Bristol ›
Education in Bristol
47.6% of adults 25 and older in Bristol have a bachelor's degree or higher (Rhode Island: 37.7%), and 19.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Bristol
- Unemployment rate
- 2.8%State: 5.8%
- Average commute
- 25 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 11.2%
- Drive alone
- 71.6%
- Public transit
- 2%
- Walk to work
- 6.8%
- Homes with broadband
- 91.7%
Bristol vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol | 22,220 | $97,764 | $485,000 | $1,579 |
| Warren | 11,144 | $90,729 | $395,700 | $1,363 |
| Portsmouth | 17,644 | $117,467 | $597,000 | $1,719 |
| Barrington | 17,126 | $153,198 | $644,100 | $1,943 |
| Ocean Grove | 3,453 | $118,696 | $362,200 | $1,266 |
| Swansea | 17,359 | $116,364 | $445,000 | $1,226 |
| Tiverton | 16,189 | $106,036 | $411,900 | $1,247 |
| Somerset | 18,298 | $112,677 | $418,800 | $1,271 |
| Warwick | 83,175 | $88,708 | $354,600 | $1,363 |
More for people moving to Bristol
Bristol ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Bristol: FAQ
What is the median household income in Bristol, RI?
The median household income in Bristol is $97,764, 11% higher than the Rhode Island median of $87,796 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Bristol?
The median home value in Bristol is $485,000, compared with $404,200 in Rhode Island.
How much is rent in Bristol?
The median gross rent in Bristol is $1,579 per month, about 27% of household income.
Is Bristol, RI a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 11% higher than the Rhode Island median; an average commute of 25 minutes; unemployment of 2.8%; a poverty rate of 6.5%. Minuses: home values 20% higher than the state median.
What is the median age in Bristol?
The median age in Bristol is 43 years (Rhode Island: 40.6).
How long is the commute in Bristol?
The average commute to work in Bristol is 25 minutes; 11.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Bristol?
The unemployment rate in Bristol is 2.8% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Bristol?
47.6% of adults in Bristol have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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