Square-Foot Value and Selling Speed: A Tale of Two States
In real estate, two numbers often reveal more than any headline: price per square foot and days on market.
Together, they tell us not just what homes are worth, but how quickly they’re moving. And when we put Massachusetts and Rhode Island side by side, some surprising contrasts emerge.
Cost per Square Foot
Massachusetts
Across Massachusetts, single-family homes are averaging about $417 per square foot, putting the state near the top of the nation for housing costs. I don’t get any joy about being in the state with the 3rd highest cost of housing… over 70% higher than the national average of $244.90/sf.
Top 10 Most Expensive $/SF States in the US
Rhode Island
In Rhode Island, that figure drops closer to $326 per square foot—a meaningful difference for buyers priced out of Greater Boston who are willing to look across the state line.
Rhode Island’s statewide average—hovering around $377/sq ft in early 2025—is similar to Plymouth’s, but with more volatility depending on whether you’re in Providence County or along the shoreline.
Across Massachusetts Counties
Within Massachusetts, county-level data shows further nuance.
In Norfolk County, median list prices per square foot are routinely above $350, reflecting its proximity to Boston and its affluent suburbs. Plymouth County averages closer to the low $300s, while Bristol County often sits slightly below that, offering comparatively more affordability within commuting distance of both Boston and Providence.
As always, the further you get from Boston, the lower the suburban home prices are… until you start getting closer to Providence.
Days on Market
The other piece of the puzzle is selling speed.
Rhode Island
In Rhode Island, homes sold in an average of 39 days on market in Q1 of 2025, rising slightly from 36 days the year prior. By mid-summer, Redfin data put DOM closer to 26 days, even as sales volume dipped and supply ticked up.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts follows a similar rhythm, though buyers are showing more patience. Norfolk and Plymouth counties often push past 30 days on market, while Bristol remains somewhat quicker to contract, particularly for moderately priced homes under $600,000. Both states rank among the slower-selling markets nationally, but local variations give agents an opportunity to frame realistic timelines for their clients.
Days on Market (DOM) – Massachusetts vs. Rhode Island (2025)
For those that prefer graphs, here is the same data:
The comparison is striking. Massachusetts commands higher per-square-foot pricing, yet doesn’t necessarily translate into faster sales.
Rhode Island, on the other hand, offers a better dollar-per-foot value and in many months a slightly faster pace of sales.
What buyers need to know
For buyers, this can frame Rhode Island as an appealing alternative; for sellers, it’s a reminder that pricing discipline matters more than ever when buyers can shop both sides of the border.
What agents and sellers need to know
For agents and sellers, the data provides a powerful story: affordability, pace, and competition differ dramatically within a 30–40 mile radius. That means being able to articulate these differences—in listing appointments, in buyer consultations, and yes, on platforms like LinkedIn—isn’t just useful, it’s a differentiator.
Resources Referenced:
Redfin Data Center – Rhode Island Housing Market: https://www.redfin.com/state/Rhode-Island/housing-market
Boston.com – As prices soar, is Rhode Island real estate still a deal?: https://www.boston.com/real-estate/real-estate/2025/08/13/as-prices-soar-is-r-i-real-estate-still-a-deal-for-out-of-state-home-buyers/
Axios Boston – Rent control petition heads for ballot (price per sq ft context): https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/08/06/rent-control-massachusetts-ballot-question
Fun107 – Massachusetts and Rhode Island Among Slowest States to Sell a Home: https://fun107.com/massachusetts-rhode-island-slowest-states-home-sale/
