Choosing between South Dartmouth and Rhode Island’s Farm Coast can feel like splitting hairs. Each coastline offers beauty, boating, and a slower pace, yet the day-to-day experience and long-term costs vary more than you might expect. If you want walkable village life, deep-water access, or quiet acreage, the right choice will save you time and protect your investment. In this guide, you’ll compare prices, inventory, taxes, waterfront access, and lifestyle so you can focus your search with confidence. Let’s dive in.
Quick market snapshot
Pricing and supply shift by town and season, so it helps to anchor expectations before you tour.
South Dartmouth
According to Realtor.com reporting in late 2025, South Dartmouth’s median listing price ranged around $937,500 to $999,000. The Padanaram village area and protected harbor often pull medians up compared to inland neighborhoods. Inventory tends to be modest, which rewards buyers who are prepared to act.
Westport (MA)
Redfin reported a median sale price near $670,000 in early 2026, but Westport has wide price dispersion. You’ll find everything from modest cottages to multi-acre estates, especially around Westport Point and agricultural corridors. Larger lots are a hallmark here.
Little Compton (RI)
Realtor.com showed a median near $1,010,000 in Oct 2025, with price per square foot often above $540. Inventory is small and seasonal, which can intensify competition for rare estate or waterfront listings.
Tiverton (RI)
Tiverton’s assessor reports a total assessed value of about $4.175B across roughly 8,442 parcels, which implies an average assessed value per parcel near $495,000. That figure is a mean, not a median sale price, but it supports Tiverton’s reputation for relatively more approachable entry points on the water. Review the town’s assessment context on the Tiverton Tax Assessor page.
Note: Listing medians and sold medians often differ by reporting window. Always confirm the data source and date when you compare towns, and pair statistics with on-the-ground touring.
Waterfront and boating differences
South Dartmouth: Village and harbor life
If you want a walkable New England village with restaurants, shops, and a protected harbor, Padanaram is a standout. Slip and mooring availability, plus rules on docks and lifts, should be verified with the town harbormaster. For tax and parcel research, the Dartmouth Assessor is a helpful first stop.
Westport: Long beaches and acreage
Westport’s coastline spans estuaries, surf, and large public beaches, with an agricultural feel and bigger average lots inland. It suits buyers who want quiet, land, and access to beaches and the river system. Review beach, harbor, and policy updates on Westport’s municipal site.
Little Compton: Quiet coves and conservation
Little Compton offers a quieter Farm Coast setting, strong conservation presence, and fewer deep-water marinas. Privacy, larger parcels, and a slower pace are the draw. Town resources, including beaches, harbor information, and the assessor, live on the Little Compton website.
Tiverton: Mixed frontage and value
Tiverton combines Mount Hope Bay and Sakonnet River frontage with a range of residential areas. Many buyers find stronger value for waterfront here, though parcel details like mooring depth, septic systems, and easements can vary. Start with the Tiverton Tax Assessor for parcel-level research.
Taxes and carrying costs
Property taxes and coastal ownership costs differ by town and state. Build a realistic annual model before you bid.
- Dartmouth (MA) lists a FY2025 residential rate of $8.26 per $1,000. See the town’s Tax Rate History.
- Westport (MA) lists a 2026 tax rate of $7.28 per $1,000. Check the Westport tax rate page for details and context.
- Little Compton (RI) follows Rhode Island revaluation rules and publishes annual tax materials. Consult the Little Compton Tax Assessor for current procedures and lookups.
- Tiverton (RI) posts assessment statistics and full tax rolls in its archive. Begin with the Tiverton Tax Assessor and supporting documents such as the tax archive.
Other carrying costs to model for coastal properties:
- Flood insurance, based on FEMA zones and elevation
- Shoreline mitigation or resilience projects
- Marina and launch fees
- Septic maintenance and well service
- Elevated construction and permitting costs in shoreland zones
- Possible conservation or agricultural restrictions
How the towns fit common priorities
Use this quick map to align your goals with the best-fit market.
- Priority: Walkable harbor life with restaurants, shops, and sheltered moorings → South Dartmouth (Padanaram).
- Priority: Large lots, agricultural feel, and more land for the budget → Westport.
- Priority: Maximum privacy, larger historic or estate lots, quiet setting → Little Compton.
- Priority: Waterfront value, varied product, proximity to Newport and Providence → Tiverton.
Budget bands to narrow your search
- Under about $750,000: pockets of Tiverton and inland Westport; limited options in South Dartmouth at this level.
- $750,000 to $1.5M: much of South Dartmouth, higher-end Westport, and select Little Compton cottages at the low end of that market.
- $1.5M and above: premium waterfront or estate-scale properties across Little Compton, South Dartmouth, and select Westport locations.
Always verify budget fit with live MLS data and current season trends before zeroing in on a micro-market.
Inventory and timing strategy
South Dartmouth and Little Compton often carry small, seasonal inventories, which can limit choice. Be ready to act on the right property and consider off-market opportunities. Westport and Tiverton cover more geography and often carry more raw inventory, which can open up options for land, views, or waterfront value.
Smart steps before you tour:
- Pre-calc your annual tax model using the Dartmouth Tax Rate History, Westport tax rates, and the RI assessor pages for Little Compton and Tiverton.
- Call the town harbormaster about mooring waitlists and local rules before you rely on boating access.
- Decide if seasonal rental use matters. Westport’s policy discussions and committee updates appear on Westport’s site.
Due diligence checklist for coastal buyers
Before you commit, document these items for any target parcel:
- FEMA flood zone, base flood elevation, and preliminary map changes; get NFIP and private insurance quotes.
- Harbormaster and Conservation Commission rules for docks, moorings, and any public-access easements. Westport resources start at the town website.
- Current assessed value, assessment history, and projected tax bill. Use the Dartmouth tax resources, Westport assessor pages, the Little Compton assessor, and the Tiverton Tax Assessor.
- Septic status, well condition, and any Board of Health requirements.
- Shoreline erosion or resilience projects and any expected special assessments. Check your town’s planning or hazard resources.
- Conservation easements, agricultural preservation restrictions, or deed covenants. Start with the Little Compton document center.
- Mooring or slip availability and any yacht club eligibility or private landing rights. Dartmouth parcel questions often start with the Assessor.
- Local short-term rental rules if income is part of your plan. See updates on Westport’s site.
- Seasonal traffic patterns, utility access, and service response times.
- Commute or school travel times that fit your family’s routine.
Which coast fits you?
If you imagine coffee in a village setting and stepping onto a tender for a protected mooring, South Dartmouth delivers. If your dream is a compound with fields, stone walls, and quiet beaches within a short drive, Westport stands out. If privacy on a larger parcel with a strong conservation backdrop is the goal, Little Compton often leads. If you want water access and relative value with convenient drives to Newport and Providence, Tiverton is a smart bet.
When you are ready to turn research into results, work with an advisor who knows these micro-markets, understands coastal due diligence, and can surface the right on- and off-market options. For discreet guidance across South Coast Massachusetts and the Rhode Island Farm Coast, schedule a private consultation with Cherry Arnold.
FAQs
What makes South Dartmouth different from nearby Farm Coast towns?
- South Dartmouth centers on Padanaram’s protected harbor and walkable village life, while Westport offers larger lots and surf-side beaches, Little Compton leans private and conservation-focused, and Tiverton blends value with mixed bay and river frontage.
How do property taxes compare among Dartmouth, Westport, Little Compton, and Tiverton?
- Dartmouth lists $8.26 per $1,000 for FY2025 and Westport lists $7.28 per $1,000 for 2026; Rhode Island towns follow different procedures and revaluation cycles, so estimate your bill using each town’s assessor resources.
Where is the best place for deep-water moorings and a walkable lifestyle?
- South Dartmouth’s Padanaram draws buyers who want protected moorings plus dining and shops within walking distance; verify waitlists and rules with the harbormaster before you buy.
Which town offers the most land or privacy at the high end?
- Little Compton often leads for larger estate parcels and privacy, while Westport provides more acreage options across a broader price spectrum.
If I want waterfront value near Newport and Providence, where should I look?
- Tiverton frequently offers more approachable entry points on or near the water, with quick access to Newport and Providence; confirm parcel-specific factors like septic, depth, and easements with the town.
