City Comparison

Cranston vs Franklin

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Cranston

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

Franklin

Tennessee
139
Expensive
$750,000
Median Home
$1,850/mo
Median Rent
$118,200
Median Income

The Verdict

21.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 21.6%, with Cranston being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Cranston has equivalent purchasing power to $95,642 in Franklin.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
135
Cranston
230
Franklin
Groceries
103
Cranston
100
Franklin
Utilities
113
Cranston
97
Franklin
Transportation
93
Cranston
90
Franklin
Healthcare
110
Cranston
91
Franklin

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Cranston has the same purchasing power as $95,642 in Franklin.

Conversely, $75,000 in Franklin equals $58,813 in Cranston.

Living in Cranston vs Franklin

Housing Costs

Cranston's housing index of 135 is lower Franklin's 230, translating to median home prices of $395,000 vs $750,000. The $355,000 difference in home prices means roughly $23,076 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Cranston compared to $1,850/mo in Franklin, a monthly difference of $475.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Cranston and 100 in Franklin. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Cranston vs $475/month in Franklin. 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 113 in Cranston and 97 in Franklin. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in Cranston vs $388 in Franklin. 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 110 in Cranston and 91 in Franklin. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $90,200 in Cranston and $118,200 in Franklin. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,752 and $85,036 respectively. Franklin residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,105/month to housing in Cranston vs $2,758/month in Franklin. In Cranston, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Franklin, median rent of $1,850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 95 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cranston is 21.6% more affordable overall with an index of 109 vs 139.
A $75,000 salary in Cranston has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $95,642 in Franklin, based on the cost of living difference.
Cranston's housing index is 135 with median homes at $395,000, while Franklin's is 230 with median homes at $750,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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