City Comparison

Cranston vs Louisville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Cranston

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

Louisville

Kentucky
91
Below Average
$210,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$52,238
Median Income

The Verdict

19.8%

Living in Louisville costs 19.8% less than Cranston. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Cranston, you would need $62,615 in Louisville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
135
Cranston
77
Louisville
Groceries
103
Cranston
96
Louisville
Utilities
113
Cranston
91
Louisville
Transportation
93
Cranston
100
Louisville
Healthcare
110
Cranston
93
Louisville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Cranston has the same purchasing power as $62,615 in Louisville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Louisville equals $89,835 in Cranston.

Living in Cranston vs Louisville

Housing Costs

Cranston's housing index of 135 is higher Louisville's 77, translating to median home prices of $395,000 vs $210,000. The $185,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,024 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Cranston compared to $1,100/mo in Louisville, a monthly difference of $275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Cranston and 96 in Louisville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Cranston vs $456/month in Louisville. Louisville 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 91 in Louisville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in Cranston vs $364 in Louisville. 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 93 in Louisville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-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 $52,238 in Louisville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,752 and $57,404 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 $1,219/month in Louisville. In Cranston, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Louisville, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 58 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Louisville is 19.8% more affordable overall with an index of 91 vs 109.
A $75,000 salary in Cranston has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $62,615 in Louisville, based on the cost of living difference.
Cranston's housing index is 135 with median homes at $395,000, while Louisville's is 77 with median homes at $210,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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