Burlington vs Cranston
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Burlington
Cranston
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 8.3%, with Cranston being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Burlington has equivalent purchasing power to $69,280 in Cranston.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Burlington has the same purchasing power as $69,280 in Cranston.
Conversely, $75,000 in Cranston equals $81,193 in Burlington.
Living in Burlington vs Cranston
Housing Costs
Burlington's housing index of 139 is higher Cranston's 135, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $395,000. The $15,000 difference in home prices means roughly $972 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Burlington compared to $1,375/mo in Cranston, a monthly difference of $425.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Burlington and 103 in Cranston. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Burlington vs $489/month in Cranston. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 115 in Burlington and 113 in Cranston. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Burlington vs $452 in Cranston. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 116 in Burlington and 110 in Cranston. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $51,098 in Burlington and $90,200 in Cranston. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,303 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 $1,192/month to housing in Burlington vs $2,105/month in Cranston. In Burlington, median rent of $1,800/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Cranston, median rent of $1,375/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 6 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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