salaryCranston is the 2nd-largest city in Rhode Island that we track, with 83,250 residents. Rent is higher than in 73% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.9 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $84,080 a year. That is $40 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Rhode Island cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Rhode Island. It is number 12 of 15 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Cranston?
Share of households by yearly income. 34.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Cranston
| Size | Cranston | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $378 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,213 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,636 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,898 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,291 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Cranston overall?
Everyday prices in Rhode Island overall are 2% above the U.S. average (index 102.3, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Cranston, so the Rhode Island figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Cranston
Life in Cranston
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Cranston?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $523 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $378,300 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $37,830 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Cranston, RI?
Renting in Cranston costs a median of about $2,102 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Rhode Island median is $1,704.
How much do I need to make to live in Cranston?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $84,080 a year, or $40 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Cranston cheap or expensive?
Cranston is rated OK: rent takes 25.9% of the typical household income of $97,287. It ranks 12th cheapest of 15 Rhode Island cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Cranston?
The median homeowner in Cranston pays $5,103 a year in property taxes, about 1.35% of the median home value.
Is Cranston more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Rhode Island are 2% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Cranston?
The median home value in Cranston is $378,300, about 3.9 times the typical yearly household income.
83,250 people live in Cranston. Numbers are typical (middle) values.