City Comparison

Cranston vs Hampton

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Cranston

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

Hampton

Virginia
88
Below Average
$243,000
Median Home
$1,175/mo
Median Rent
$59,400
Median Income

The Verdict

23.9%

Living in Hampton costs 23.9% less than Cranston. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Cranston, you would need $60,550 in Hampton.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
135
Cranston
102
Hampton
Groceries
103
Cranston
94
Hampton
Utilities
113
Cranston
102
Hampton
Transportation
93
Cranston
93
Hampton
Healthcare
110
Cranston
106
Hampton

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Cranston has the same purchasing power as $60,550 in Hampton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Hampton equals $92,898 in Cranston.

Living in Cranston vs Hampton

Housing Costs

Cranston's housing index of 135 is higher Hampton's 102, translating to median home prices of $395,000 vs $243,000. The $152,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,876 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Cranston compared to $1,175/mo in Hampton, a monthly difference of $200.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Cranston and 94 in Hampton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Cranston vs $447/month in Hampton. Hampton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $504/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 113 in Cranston and 102 in Hampton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in Cranston vs $408 in Hampton. 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 106 in Hampton. 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 $90,200 in Cranston and $59,400 in Hampton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,752 and $67,500 respectively. Cranston residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,105/month to housing in Cranston vs $1,386/month in Hampton. In Cranston, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 33 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hampton is 23.9% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 109.
A $75,000 salary in Cranston has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $60,550 in Hampton, based on the cost of living difference.
Cranston's housing index is 135 with median homes at $395,000, while Hampton's is 102 with median homes at $243,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases