City Comparison

Cranston vs Odessa

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Cranston

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

Odessa

Texas
85
Very Affordable
$223,000
Median Home
$1,150/mo
Median Rent
$73,500
Median Income

The Verdict

28.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 28.2%, with Odessa being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Cranston has equivalent purchasing power to $58,486 in Odessa.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
135
Cranston
72
Odessa
Groceries
103
Cranston
96
Odessa
Utilities
113
Cranston
100
Odessa
Transportation
93
Cranston
93
Odessa
Healthcare
110
Cranston
96
Odessa

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Cranston has the same purchasing power as $58,486 in Odessa.

Conversely, $75,000 in Odessa equals $96,176 in Cranston.

Living in Cranston vs Odessa

Housing Costs

Cranston's housing index of 135 is higher Odessa's 72, translating to median home prices of $395,000 vs $223,000. The $172,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,184 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Cranston compared to $1,150/mo in Odessa, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Cranston and 96 in Odessa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Cranston vs $456/month in Odessa. Odessa 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 100 in Odessa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in Cranston vs $400 in Odessa. 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 96 in Odessa. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $73,500 in Odessa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,752 and $86,471 respectively. Odessa residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,105/month to housing in Cranston vs $1,715/month in Odessa. In Cranston, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Odessa, median rent of $1,150/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 63 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Odessa is 28.2% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 109.
A $75,000 salary in Cranston has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $58,486 in Odessa, based on the cost of living difference.
Cranston's housing index is 135 with median homes at $395,000, while Odessa's is 72 with median homes at $223,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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