Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Portsmouth, Rhode Island
Median Portsmouth, Rhode Island effective property tax rate: 1.32%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the Rhode Island state median of 1.45%.
Median Portsmouth, Rhode Island home value: $473,700
Median annual Portsmouth, Rhode Island tax bill: $6,248, $3,848 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Newport calculated?
Property taxes in Portsmouth, Rhode Island are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.
Understanding Portsmouth's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Portsmouth, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.32%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$6,253
$5,802
How Does the Portsmouth Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Portsmouth property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Portsmouth's median effective tax rate of 1.32% — based on actual property records in Newport County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure used to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Portsmouth's median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Your bill may vary by ZIP code within Portsmouth: rates range from 6248.00 in 02871 to 6248.00 in 02871, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Portsmouth.
About Portsmouth Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Portsmouth, Newport, RI
Portsmouth’s median effective property tax rate of 1.32% is lower than the Rhode Island state median of 1.45% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Newport County base levy combined with local school district levies and special assessment districts that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Portsmouth. Homeowners in the 02871 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.32%, while those in the lowest ZIP also pay 1.32%. This spread reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Newport County. Understanding which part of Portsmouth you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Portsmouth homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local Tax Assessor before the October 30, 2026 deadline each year.
If your estimated bill above seems higher than expected, Ownwell can review your assessment and protest on your behalf. You only pay if we save you money.
Property Tax Rates Across Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island
As noted earlier, local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state.
Why? Because annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate.
While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process.
Below, you can compare Portsmouth's effective property tax rate to other cities in Rhode Island and the median property tax rates in Rhode Island and the U.S.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Portsmouth Tax Rate
1.32%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Newport County Tax Rate
1.11%
Median Effective Rhode Island Tax Rate
1.45%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02871 | 1.32% | 1.32% | 1.32% | 1.32% | 1.32% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island
When examining property taxes in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, understanding the distinction between market value and assessed value is crucial.
The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Newport County appraisal district estimates the market value for tax purposes.
The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.
Assessment notices:
In Newport County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of the month when notices are sent.
Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Portsmouth.
For example, the median home price in Portsmouth is $473,700, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 02871 has the highest median home price at $473,700.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island
Source: Ownwell
$256,350
$515,500
$774,650
Median Portsmouth Market Value
$473,700
Median Newport County Market Value
$583,450
Median Rhode Island Market Value
$361,800
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02871 | $259,940 | $359,200 | $473,700 | $660,750 | $886,680 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island
Property tax bills in Portsmouth are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set by the city and county. For a home with a median value of $473,700, the bill can vary widely depending on the property’s assessed market value, exemptions, and any local levies that apply. Homeowners in the area typically see tax bills that reflect how their property compares with others in the market, so two similar homes can still be taxed differently if their assessments differ.
The tax bill is determined by multiplying the assessed value by the applicable tax rate, which means rising home values can lead to higher taxes even if the rate stays the same. In Portsmouth, the 25th percentile tax bill is $4,737, while the 75th percentile is $8,711 and the 90th percentile is $11,687. For homeowners, this can have a major impact on monthly housing costs and long-term affordability.
Median Portsmouth Tax Bill
$6,248
Median Newport County Tax Bill
$5,686
Median Rhode Island Tax Bill
$5,086
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02871 | $3,436 | $4,737 | $6,248 | $8,711 | $11,687 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | November 3 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Newport Tax Assessor | |
| Website | newportri.mapgeo.io |