Albuquerque vs Cranston
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Albuquerque
Cranston
The Verdict
Albuquerque is 15.6% less expensive than Cranston overall. A household earning $75,000 in Albuquerque would need approximately $88,859 in Cranston to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Albuquerque has the same purchasing power as $88,859 in Cranston.
Conversely, $75,000 in Cranston equals $63,303 in Albuquerque.
Living in Albuquerque vs Cranston
Housing Costs
Albuquerque's housing index of 80 is lower Cranston's 135, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $395,000. The $135,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,772 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Albuquerque compared to $1,375/mo in Cranston, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Albuquerque and 103 in Cranston. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Albuquerque vs $489/month in Cranston. Albuquerque offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Albuquerque and 113 in Cranston. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Albuquerque vs $452 in Cranston. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 94 in Albuquerque and 110 in Cranston. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $52,911 in Albuquerque and $90,200 in Cranston. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,512 and $82,752 respectively. Cranston residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,235/month to housing in Albuquerque vs $2,105/month in Cranston. In Albuquerque, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Cranston, median rent of $1,375/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 55 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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