Bellevue vs Cranston
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Bellevue
Cranston
The Verdict
Cranston is 45.0% less expensive than Bellevue overall. A household earning $75,000 in Bellevue would need approximately $51,741 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 Bellevue has the same purchasing power as $51,741 in Cranston.
Conversely, $75,000 in Cranston equals $108,716 in Bellevue.
Living in Bellevue vs Cranston
Housing Costs
Bellevue's housing index of 249 is higher Cranston's 135, translating to median home prices of $1.3M vs $395,000. The $906,000 difference in home prices means roughly $58,896 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,525/mo in Bellevue compared to $1,375/mo in Cranston, a monthly difference of $1,150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 111 in Bellevue and 103 in Cranston. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $527/month in Bellevue vs $489/month in Cranston. Cranston offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 100 in Bellevue and 113 in Cranston. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Bellevue 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 120 in Bellevue and 110 in Cranston. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $169,200 in Bellevue and $90,200 in Cranston. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $107,089 and $82,752 respectively. Bellevue residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,948/month to housing in Bellevue vs $2,105/month in Cranston. In Bellevue, median rent of $2,525/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 114 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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