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FY 2026 residential rate · Washington County, RI
Charlestown property tax rate
Charlestown's FY 2026 residential rate is $5.93 per $1,000 of assessed value. A property assessed at $300,000 owes $1,779.00 for the year. That ranks 35th highest of Rhode Island's 38 municipalities, among the lowest tenth, $6.62 per $1,000 below the $12.55 per $1,000 state median.
- 1Residential rate $5.93 per $1,000
- 2Bill on $300,000 assessed $1,779.00
Your Charlestown tax bill
The bill before exemptions and credits. Compare every Rhode Island rate.
Charlestown's rates by class of property
Rhode Island lets each city and town tax classes of property at different rates. Charlestown charges residential and commercial real estate the same $5.93 per $1,000. Tangible personal property, such as business equipment, pays $5.74, the 38th highest personal property rate of the 38 municipalities ranked here. 21 of the 38 set a commercial rate above their residential rate.
Tax on common assessed values in Charlestown
| Assessed value | FY 2026 bill | Versus RI median rate |
|---|---|---|
| $200,000 | $1,186.00 | −$1,324.00 |
| $300,000 | $1,779.00 | −$1,986.00 |
| $400,000 | $2,372.00 | −$2,648.00 |
| $500,000 | $2,965.00 | −$3,310.00 |
| $750,000 | $4,447.50 | −$4,965.00 |
Each bill is the assessed value divided by 1,000 and multiplied by $5.93, before exemptions, credits or special charges. These are assessed values, not sale prices. The last column is the difference from the same assessment at the $12.55 per $1,000 state median.
How Charlestown compares in Washington County and Rhode Island
Among the 9 municipalities in Washington County, Charlestown ranks 8th highest; the county median is $8.94 per $1,000, so Charlestown sits $3.01 per $1,000 below it. The next higher rate in the county is Narragansett at $6.79, and the next lower is New Shoreham at $5.76. Statewide, 7% of municipalities have a lower residential rate than Charlestown.
Outside Washington County, the closest rates are Jamestown ($5.64, Newport), Little Compton ($4.79, Newport), Providence ($8.40, Providence), Newport ($8.69, Newport). A rate compares bills fairly only between towns whose assessments sit at a similar share of market value.
Appealing a Charlestown assessment
A Charlestown owner appeals first to the local tax assessor, on the state-approved form, on or before November 15 and not less than 90 days after the first tax payment is due (R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-5-26(a)). The assessor has until December 31 to decide; the next step is the local tax board of review within 30 days of the decision, or by January 31 when there is none, and after that a petition to the Superior Court within 30 days of the board's decision (R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 44-5-26, 44-5-27). Each $10,000 of residential assessment costs $59.30 a year at Charlestown's rate.
The Rhode Island appeal page sets out each step with its source. This is a summary of the published procedure, not legal advice.
Charlestown property tax questions
What is the property tax rate in Charlestown, RI?
Charlestown's FY 2026 residential rate is $5.93 per $1,000 of assessed value. Source: Rhode Island Division of Municipal Finance.
How much is the property tax on a $300,000 assessment in Charlestown?
$300,000 ÷ 1,000 × $5.93 = $1,779.00 a year, before exemptions and credits.
Is Charlestown's tax rate high for Rhode Island?
It ranks 35th highest of 38, among the lowest tenth of Rhode Island municipalities; the median is $12.55 per $1,000.
How do I appeal a Charlestown property assessment?
Appeal to the local tax assessor: by November 15 (R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-5-26(a)). Then: assessor's decision (December 31); appeal to the local tax board of review (30 days after the decision, or January 31); petition to the superior court (30 days after the board's decision).
Source: Rhode Island Division of Municipal Finance, FY 2026 Rhode Island Tax Rates by Class of Property (assessment date December 31, 2024; tax roll year 2025); county and 2020 population from Wikipedia, List of municipalities in Rhode Island . Appeal steps: R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-5-26, Petition in superior court for relief from assessment. Last checked October 21, 2026. This page explains published figures; it is not tax or legal advice.