City Comparison

Casper vs Cranston

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Casper

Wyoming
95
Below Average
$265,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$70,200
Median Income

Cranston

Rhode Island
109
Above Average
$395,000
Median Home
$1,375/mo
Median Rent
$90,200
Median Income

The Verdict

12.8%

Casper is 12.8% less expensive than Cranston overall. A household earning $75,000 in Casper would need approximately $86,053 in Cranston to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
82
Casper
135
Cranston
Groceries
96
Casper
103
Cranston
Utilities
96
Casper
113
Cranston
Transportation
85
Casper
93
Cranston
Healthcare
103
Casper
110
Cranston

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Casper has the same purchasing power as $86,053 in Cranston.

Conversely, $75,000 in Cranston equals $65,367 in Casper.

Living in Casper vs Cranston

Housing Costs

Casper's housing index of 82 is lower Cranston's 135, translating to median home prices of $265,000 vs $395,000. The $130,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,448 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Casper compared to $1,375/mo in Cranston, a monthly difference of $375.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Casper and 103 in Cranston. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Casper vs $489/month in Cranston. Casper offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in Casper and 113 in Cranston. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Casper 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 103 in Casper 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 $70,200 in Casper and $90,200 in Cranston. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,895 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 $1,638/month to housing in Casper vs $2,105/month in Cranston. In Casper, median rent of $1,000/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 53 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Casper is 12.8% more affordable overall with an index of 95 vs 109.
A $75,000 salary in Casper has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $86,053 in Cranston, based on the cost of living difference.
Casper's housing index is 82 with median homes at $265,000, while Cranston's is 135 with median homes at $395,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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