$881,141Average Value$543Average Price per Sq Ft26Homes For Sale
A Block Island Sound resort town with a long history
Westerly’s history is multifaceted. It was once a shipbuilding center, where gunboats for the War of 1812 were built. It was also a mining town, the source of much of the granite used to carve Civil War monuments across the country. And before the English settled it in the 1660s, Westerly was home to Niantic Native Americans. They called the area “Misquamicut,” which translates to “red fish,” after Atlantic salmon found in the Pawcatuck. The Westerly of today, on the Rhode Island side of the Connecticut border, is a small town with a coastal resort-style atmosphere on the Block Island Sound. A little more than 23,000 people live here, but the population grows in the summer. Realtor Elizabeth Warner of Re/Max South County, a Westerly local, says the appeal for full-time and summer residents alike is simple: “Our taxes are low, and we have beautiful beaches.”
Westerly, Rhode Island, is home to approximately 20,000 residents.
Waterfront homes line the southern coast of Westerly, with many bordering inland ponds.
Walk through downtown Westerly to experience nightlife and retail of the area.
Westerly celebrates the end of summer and beginnings of fall.
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Cape Cods and saltbox houses on the coast
The Rhode Island Association of Realtors reports that in August 2024, the median price for single-family homes in Westerly was $916,875. That’s a nearly 70% increase from 2023, when the median was $552,500. The median price for condos in Westerly hovers around $385,000. Inland ranch-style homes and Cape Cod cottages tend to be on the lower end of the price range, while large Colonial Revivals and saltbox-style beach houses with private waterfronts sit on the upper end of the spectrum. On average, homes stay on the market for slightly less than 50 days before going under contract. Warner says inventory is tight due to an influx of house hunters from surrounding states such as New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts. “We have a lot of cash buyers because many people here are buying second homes.” One such buyer? American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, who has a home in the historic Watch Hill neighborhood. Known locally as the Harkness House, the Gilded Age mansion sold for more than $17 million when Swift bought it in 2013. It’s considered the most expensive private residence in the state.
Victorian style homes offer a contemporary view on some of the traditional colonial style homes.
Homes in every price range are found along the rocky shores of Westerly's beaches.
Contemporary colonial style homes are a common house type in Westerly.
Colonial style homes in Westerly are among the popular, with traditional New England flavor.
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Block Island Sound beaches, a century-old amusement park and more
Sandy sound-front beaches line the town’s coastline. Westerly Town Beach is private to residents, but the beach at Dunes Park is open to the public. The private Weekapaug Yacht Club hosts weekly races and offers youth sailing clinics. Atlantic Beach Park, an amusement park owned and operated by the Trefes family since 1921, is just west of the yacht club and Dunes Park. It’s home to an early-20th-century Herschell-Spillman Carousel and an arcade. The carousel is the oldest one still operational in the United States. A short walk down the water, there’s Misquamicut State Beach, a public beach with a playground and concessions. The Misquamicut Drive-In Theater, down the beach, is open May through October. Weekapaug Golf Club and Winnapaug Country Club feature golf courses overlooking Winnapaug Pond, just north. Weekapaug is a private, member-owned club while Winnapaug is a public club that offers memberships. The Westerly Land Trust, established in 1987, maintains nature preserves with multiuse trails and historic properties throughout town.
Fish off the shores of Misquamicut State Beach in Westerly.
Wilcox Park offers dog and family friendly walking trails through a pond and green space area.
Weekapaug Golf Club is a world ranked 9 hole course with water views on almost every hole.
Hundreds gather on Westerly Town Beach to hear great live music at Tunes on the Dunes.
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Historic downtown Westerly is the community’s cultural center
Westerly’s historic downtown is the heart of its restaurant and boutique retail scene, filled with antique stores, artisanal food markets, taphouses and more. Several of the eateries on Main Street offer outdoor seating with views of the Pawcatuck River. Every summer, the Pawcatuck is lit up with floating fire pits for River Glow, a small-scale version of Providence’s WaterFire event. Downtown Westerly is also home to The United, a 1920s vaudeville theater that now screens arthouse films and new-release blockbusters. On the other side of Wilcox Park, the Granite Theatre is a small playhouse offering performing arts classes. The Colonial Theatre of Rhode Island occupies another corner of Wilcox Park, where the professional theatre company hosts the annual Shakespeare in the Park festival. South of downtown, several shopping centers with national chain retailers, like Stop & Shop, Home Depot and Walmart, are spaced along U.S. Route 1.
The Amtrak station in Westerly, makes it easy to travel throughout the country.
Interstate travel is a short drive away, driving or walking over Broad St. into Connecticut.
Catch a movie at the United Theater in downtown Westerly.
Ritacco's Market and Deli in Westerly offers iconic sandwiches and "grinders".
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Westerly elementary schools under construction
The Westerly Public Schools system earns a B from Niche. The five schools in the district serve more than 2,200 students with an average student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1. B-graded Westerly High School landed on the 2023 AP Honor Roll, a list of roughly 4,500 U.S. schools recognized for their Advanced Placement programs. In addition to more than 20 AP courses, Westerly High offers classes in subjects ranging from accounting to web page design. The district held a groundbreaking ceremony in August 2023 to mark the start of construction on a new State Street Elementary School building and upcoming renovations to the existing Dunn’s Corner and Springbrook elementaries. State Street’s new building is expected to open for students in 2026; the upgrades to Dunn’s Corner and Springbrook are scheduled to be completed in 2025. Private schools in nearby Connecticut include St. Michael School and Pine Point School. Unrated by Niche, St. Michael is a co-ed, Catholic school for kids between preschool and eighth grade. A-graded Pine Point School is a co-ed, nonparochial school for preschool through ninth grade.
Westerly Middle School has 740 students in grades 5-8 with a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1.
State Street School in Westerly has 246 students with a student-teacher ratio of 11:1.
Westerly High School in Westerly has 726 students with a student-teacher ratio of 10 to 1.
Westerly Middle School is an above average, public school located in Westerly.
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Interstate 95 connects to Providence and Connecticut
Cross the state line from Connecticut into Rhode Island, and the mill rate drops, which means homeowners pay lower property taxes. The tradeoff is that homes in Connecticut are less expensive, but many residents still choose to live on the Rhode Island side of the border in Westerly and commute to Connecticut for work. Warner: “It comes down to: Would you rather spend less on a house, but more on taxes, or more on a house and less on taxes? People typically have the mindset that their payments should go to the principal of the mortgage, instead of taxes.” One of the largest local employers is the Pfizer research site in Groton, Connecticut, about 16 miles west. The drive takes about 20 minutes with no traffic via Interstate 95, which runs past the north side of Westerly. Providence, the Rhode Island state capital and a regional employment hub, is about 44 miles, or a 50-minute drive northeast on I-95. Amtrak’s Northeast Regional line offers train service from Westerly to Providence, too. The ride typically takes about 35 minutes. The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority also provides bus service, with four stops clustered in downtown. Westerly Hospital, one of the largest private-sector employers in the state, is about a mile south of downtown. It’s near Westerly State Airport, which provides flight training and an 8-passenger commuter flight to Block Island State Airport. Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport is in Warwick, about 37 miles northeast of Westerly.
Increasing crime rates and snow at the beach
According to the FBI, 175 violent crimes were committed in Westerly in 2023, an increase from 169 in 2022. FBI data also reflects an increase in property crimes during the same period, from 209 in 2022 to 253 in 2023.
In neighborhoods close to the water, there is some risk of flooding during higher-than-normal tides, or King Tides, and storm surges. However, most standing water impacts roads and parking areas rather than residences. Like most New England states, Rhode Island experiences four seasons, with cold winters and warm summers. While winters can be snowy, it’s rare for Westerly to accumulate more than a foot at a time.
Written By
Megan Quintin
Photography Contributed By
Johnny Milano
Video By
Scott Wiggins
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Westerly, RI sell after 42 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Westerly, RI over the last 12 months is $595,000, up 9% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Turnkey coastal living just minutes from Watch Hill, offering a rare opportunity for the space, privacy, and ease that typical beach homes can't. This fully renovated 3-bedroom, 3-bath raised ranch with a 2-car garage is set back from the road on a beautifully landscaped half-acre lot, featuring a circular driveway, stone-lined approach, and a private backyard ideal for entertaining, relaxing, or
FIRST SHOWINGS AT OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY 4/4, 11AM-12PM. Rare opportunity just steps to the heart of downtown Westerly. This 3-family property offers exceptional flexibility for investors or owner-occupants, with all units to be delivered vacant a true blank slate in a location that's hard to replicate. Enjoy walkable access to restaurants, nightlife, theaters, shopping, the library & Wilcox Park,
Welcome to this Raised Ranch in a quiet Westerly cul-de-sac! This 1,028 sq ft home offers a bright living area, dining space, and kitchen with essential appliances. Situated on a generous 0.27-acre lot with mature trees and ample green space, the property provides both privacy and a welcoming neighborhood atmosphere. The lower level includes an additional room that may offer potential for a
Weekapaug Side of Misquamicu; A Rare Waterfront Escape Welcome to the coveted Weekapaug side of Misquamicut, where coastal beauty, privacy, and timeless New England charm converge. Perfectly positioned along a quiet bend of the Weekapaug Breachway, this exceptional waterfront retreat delivers an unmatched connection to Rhode Island's most treasured shoreline. Here, the shoreline feels like your
Live where others vacation! This antique charmer offers historic character with downtown vibes. You're in the heart of town, minutes to downtown's vibrant mix of restaurants, boutique shops, and lively bars. Walk to dinner. See a show. Grab your morning coffee and hit the park all without getting in your car. 3 beds, 2 full baths, a bonus office/den space on a generous nearly 1/3 acre lot in one
Located in the Avondale Hills neighborhood of Westerly and just a few minutes ride to the beautiful shorelines of Watch Hill and Misquamicut. With a half-circle driveway to the front foyer entrance, and a second approach along the side of the beautifully landscaped property, this 3-4 bed /2.5 bath expansive Colonial home features over 2600 sq ft with 2 floors of living space. (Septic is 6
A lovely older ranch in a great location, offering a 4bed, 2bath,1,696sqft, on a spacious 0.37-acre lot, maintained and cared for by one of the original owners, the house was built in 1955. This home offers 1,696 sf of finished space and a potential in-law, with town approval, it is located off the main level, with private entrance, 1 bedroom, 1 bath, kitchen and living room. (Great when family
Experience Misquamicut Beach living with this magnificent offering set on over an acre of prime coastal land. Located between the exclusive enclaves of Watch Hill and Weekapaug, this home offers breathtaking, panoramic views of the 476-acre Winnapaug Pond and its serene marshlands, which stretch toward the breach way to the Atlantic Ocean. Whether you're launching a kayak from your backyard path
This three-family property presents a fantastic opportunity for both investors and owner-occupants alike. Each of the three units offers a spacious layout featuring one to two bedrooms and one full bathroom, along with open-concept and eat-in kitchens that provide a comfortable and functional living space. The property also includes off-street parking and washer/dryer hookups in each unit. With a
Experience unparalleled luxury in this extraordinary Avondale waterfront home with a private, deep-water dock. Floor-to-ceiling glass bathes the interior in natural light, showcasing astounding, panoramic water views from every room. The property encompasses the true coastal dream, featuring impeccable specimen plantings including fruit trees, a raised-bed garden, and a beautiful fountain,
Just moments from historic Watch Hill, this architecturally designed shingle-style cottage offers a refined blend of coastal elegance and flexible living. Privately set on 1.81 acres, the home features over 6,000 square feet thoughtfully arranged to accommodate both everyday comfort and extended stays with ease. The renovated first floor highlights a bright, inviting interior with refinished
The Watch Hill Legacy: Where the whisper of the Atlantic meets the manicured greens of an exclusive golf course, you'll find this rare Watch Hill treasure. This is a multi-generational compound a hidden sanctuary that has been meticulously reimagined for the modern dreamer. Step inside a home designed for the golden hours of summer. The interiors flow effortlessly toward the salt air, featuring
Turnkey coastal living just minutes from Watch Hill, offering a rare opportunity for the space, privacy, and ease that typical beach homes can't. This fully renovated 3-bedroom, 3-bath raised ranch with a 2-car garage is set back from the road on a beautifully landscaped half-acre lot, featuring a circular driveway, stone-lined approach, and a private backyard ideal for entertaining, relaxing, or
FIRST SHOWINGS AT OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY 4/4, 11AM-12PM. Rare opportunity just steps to the heart of downtown Westerly. This 3-family property offers exceptional flexibility for investors or owner-occupants, with all units to be delivered vacant a true blank slate in a location that's hard to replicate. Enjoy walkable access to restaurants, nightlife, theaters, shopping, the library & Wilcox Park,
Welcome to this Raised Ranch in a quiet Westerly cul-de-sac! This 1,028 sq ft home offers a bright living area, dining space, and kitchen with essential appliances. Situated on a generous 0.27-acre lot with mature trees and ample green space, the property provides both privacy and a welcoming neighborhood atmosphere. The lower level includes an additional room that may offer potential for a
Off season rental. Perched just 5 minutes from the famed Ocean House Resort in Watch Hill, this stunning oceanfront residence offers the ultimate coastal lifestyle across four levels with panoramic views and superb beach frontage. Boasting over 4500sq ft this home seamlessly blends timeless elegance with modern amenities. Four spacious en-suite bedrooms, multiple family rooms, double sided
Special Summer Rental! Lovely 3BDR, 1 1/2 bath home 1/2 mile from the beach. Fully furnished with spacious yard w/separate outdoor entertainment building perfect for after beach barbecues and outdoor entertaining! 1 car garage,beach passes,& pets OK. Summer seasonal rates between 5/15/26 and 9/15/26 $2200/weekly, $8000/monthly, weekends according to availability.
1BR, 1BA first floor residential apartment located in centrally located Merchant Square plaza. Vibrant complex with many food and beverage options right outside your door. Short walk to downtown Westerly and close to area beaches. Subject to acceptable credit and background check by landlord.
Now available for May/June 2026 occupancy, Cottage Street Commons offers brand new townhouse-style living with a modern, low-maintenance design. These thoughtfully built 2-bedroom, 1.5-bath units combine comfort and convenience with high-end finishes throughout. Each unit features an open layout with quartz countertops, luxury vinyl plank flooring, and a dedicated in-unit laundry room. Efficient
One-bedroom third-floor apartment located within walking distance of downtown Westerly. Located in a nice neighborhood, with quiet neighbors. Close to beaches! Weekly trash pickup included.
**Currently available at $3200/Mo rate. for June 1-26th 2026, and accepting monthly off-season rental applications September 16, 2026 - June 2027.** Remaining Summer availability: July 5-9th & July 21-31st. Welcome to your perfect coastal retreat! This beautifully updated, fully furnished 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom ranch with an outdoor shower offers 1-level living with modern style and comfort in one
The Practical MagicAll-inclusive: Utilities, high-speed Wi-Fi, central heat & A/C (host-regulated for optimal comfort), washer/dryer on site.Dedicated parking: Private off-street space in a quiet, walkable neighborhoodShift-friendly: Designed for professionals with unconventional or rotating schedulesPrime location: 5 minutes to Westerly Hospital; 15 minutes to beaches, kayaking,
1BR, 1BA first floor residential apartment located in centrally located Merchant Square plaza. Vibrant complex with many food and beverage options right outside your door. Short walk to downtown Westerly and close to area beaches. Subject to acceptable credit and background check by landlord.
Beautiful Colonial in The Sherwood Hills Estate.Beautiful three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath Colonial offering 2,144 square feet of comfortable living space, with lovely deck and back yard, and a garage. Located in the desirable Sherwood Hills Estate in Westerly, just a short ride to the local beaches, Watch hill, Downtown Westerly, restaurants, short drive to Charlestown, Narraganset and so
Great short-term rentals on Post Road in Westerly for only $2500/month (could be negotiated weekly for $600/week off season/$800 week summer or possibly long-term). Unit #131 has a bedroom, 1 full bathroom, a living room with an additional bed, and eat-in kitchen. The second unit, #132, has a living room, kitchen, full bathroom, and 2 bedrooms. Newly updated and fully furnished. Everything
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