City Comparison

Cranston vs New Haven

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Cranston

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

New Haven

Connecticut
118
Above Average
$250,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$42,158
Median Income

The Verdict

7.6%

Living in Cranston costs 7.6% less than New Haven. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Cranston, you would need $81,193 in New Haven.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
135
Cranston
137
New Haven
Groceries
103
Cranston
106
New Haven
Utilities
113
Cranston
124
New Haven
Transportation
93
Cranston
102
New Haven
Healthcare
110
Cranston
114
New Haven

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Cranston has the same purchasing power as $81,193 in New Haven.

Conversely, $75,000 in New Haven equals $69,280 in Cranston.

Living in Cranston vs New Haven

Housing Costs

Cranston's housing index of 135 is lower New Haven's 137, translating to median home prices of $395,000 vs $250,000. The $145,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,420 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 New Haven, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Cranston and 106 in New Haven. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Cranston vs $504/month in New Haven. 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 124 in New Haven. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in Cranston vs $496 in New Haven. 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 114 in New Haven. 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 $42,158 in New Haven. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,752 and $35,727 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 $984/month in New Haven. In Cranston, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In New Haven, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 11 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cranston is 7.6% more affordable overall with an index of 109 vs 118.
A $75,000 salary in Cranston has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $81,193 in New Haven, based on the cost of living difference.
Cranston's housing index is 135 with median homes at $395,000, while New Haven's is 137 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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