Cranston vs Modesto
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Cranston
Modesto
The Verdict
Cranston is 2.7% less expensive than Modesto overall. A household earning $75,000 in Cranston would need approximately $77,064 in Modesto 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 $77,064 in Modesto.
Conversely, $75,000 in Modesto equals $72,991 in Cranston.
Living in Cranston vs Modesto
Housing Costs
Cranston's housing index of 135 is higher Modesto's 121, translating to median home prices of $395,000 vs $380,000. The $15,000 difference in home prices means roughly $972 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Cranston compared to $1,400/mo in Modesto, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 103 in Cranston and 100 in Modesto. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Cranston vs $475/month in Modesto. 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 108 in Modesto. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in Cranston vs $432 in Modesto. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 110 in Cranston and 100 in Modesto. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $55,138 in Modesto. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,752 and $49,230 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 $1,287/month in Modesto. In Cranston, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Modesto, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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