Augusta vs Cranston
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Augusta
Cranston
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 26.6%, with Augusta being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to $102,188 in Cranston.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Augusta has the same purchasing power as $102,188 in Cranston.
Conversely, $75,000 in Cranston equals $55,046 in Augusta.
Living in Augusta vs Cranston
Housing Costs
Augusta's housing index of 62 is lower Cranston's 135, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $395,000. The $170,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,052 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Augusta compared to $1,375/mo in Cranston, a monthly difference of $300.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Augusta and 103 in Cranston. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Augusta vs $489/month in Cranston. Augusta offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 104 in Augusta and 113 in Cranston. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Augusta vs $452 in Cranston. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 81 in Augusta and 110 in Cranston. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 29-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $55,500 in Augusta and $90,200 in Cranston. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,375 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 $1,295/month to housing in Augusta vs $2,105/month in Cranston. In Augusta, median rent of $1,075/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 73 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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