Cranston vs Newark
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Cranston
Newark
The Verdict
Living in Cranston costs 9.9% less than Newark. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Cranston, you would need $83,257 in Newark.
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 $83,257 in Newark.
Conversely, $75,000 in Newark equals $67,562 in Cranston.
Living in Cranston vs Newark
Housing Costs
Cranston's housing index of 135 is lower Newark's 149, translating to median home prices of $395,000 vs $340,000. The $55,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,576 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 Newark, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 103 in Cranston and 103 in Newark. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Cranston vs $489/month in Newark. 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 118 in Newark. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in Cranston vs $472 in Newark. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 110 in Cranston and 105 in Newark. 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 $40,014 in Newark. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,752 and $33,069 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 $934/month in Newark. In Cranston, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Newark, 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 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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