City Comparison

Cranston vs High Point

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Cranston

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

High Point

North Carolina
84
Very Affordable
$249,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$49,200
Median Income

The Verdict

29.8%

Living in High Point costs 29.8% less than Cranston. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Cranston, you would need $57,798 in High Point.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
135
Cranston
61
High Point
Groceries
103
Cranston
96
High Point
Utilities
113
Cranston
98
High Point
Transportation
93
Cranston
92
High Point
Healthcare
110
Cranston
101
High Point

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Cranston has the same purchasing power as $57,798 in High Point.

Conversely, $75,000 in High Point equals $97,321 in Cranston.

Living in Cranston vs High Point

Housing Costs

Cranston's housing index of 135 is higher High Point's 61, translating to median home prices of $395,000 vs $249,000. The $146,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,492 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Cranston compared to $1,075/mo in High Point, a monthly difference of $300.

Grocery & Food Costs

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

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 113 in Cranston and 98 in High Point. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in Cranston vs $392 in High Point. 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 101 in High Point. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-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 $49,200 in High Point. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,752 and $58,571 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 $1,148/month in High Point. In Cranston, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In High Point, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 74 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

High Point is 29.8% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 109.
A $75,000 salary in Cranston has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $57,798 in High Point, based on the cost of living difference.
Cranston's housing index is 135 with median homes at $395,000, while High Point's is 61 with median homes at $249,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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