Cranston vs Gilbert
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Cranston
Gilbert
The Verdict
Cranston is 1.8% less expensive than Gilbert overall. A household earning $75,000 in Cranston would need approximately $76,376 in Gilbert 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 Cranston has the same purchasing power as $76,376 in Gilbert.
Conversely, $75,000 in Gilbert equals $73,649 in Cranston.
Living in Cranston vs Gilbert
Housing Costs
Cranston's housing index of 135 is higher Gilbert's 128, translating to median home prices of $395,000 vs $470,000. The $75,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,872 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Cranston compared to $1,700/mo in Gilbert, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 103 in Cranston and 100 in Gilbert. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Cranston vs $475/month in Gilbert. 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 96 in Gilbert. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in Cranston vs $384 in Gilbert. 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 95 in Gilbert. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $94,518 in Gilbert. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,752 and $85,151 respectively. Gilbert 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 $2,205/month in Gilbert. In Cranston, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Gilbert, median rent of $1,700/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases