City Comparison

Cranston vs Pearland

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Cranston

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

Pearland

Texas
100
Average
$372,000
Median Home
$1,800/mo
Median Rent
$118,800
Median Income

The Verdict

9.0%

Living in Pearland costs 9.0% less than Cranston. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Cranston, you would need $68,807 in Pearland.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
135
Cranston
99
Pearland
Groceries
103
Cranston
97
Pearland
Utilities
113
Cranston
100
Pearland
Transportation
93
Cranston
91
Pearland
Healthcare
110
Cranston
105
Pearland

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Cranston has the same purchasing power as $68,807 in Pearland.

Conversely, $75,000 in Pearland equals $81,750 in Cranston.

Living in Cranston vs Pearland

Housing Costs

Cranston's housing index of 135 is higher Pearland's 99, translating to median home prices of $395,000 vs $372,000. The $23,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,500 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Cranston compared to $1,800/mo in Pearland, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Cranston and 97 in Pearland. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Cranston vs $461/month in Pearland. Pearland offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 113 in Cranston and 100 in Pearland. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in Cranston vs $400 in Pearland. 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 105 in Pearland. 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 $118,800 in Pearland. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,752 and $118,800 respectively. Pearland 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 $2,772/month in Pearland. In Cranston, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Pearland, median rent of $1,800/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 36 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pearland is 9.0% more affordable overall with an index of 100 vs 109.
A $75,000 salary in Cranston has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $68,807 in Pearland, based on the cost of living difference.
Cranston's housing index is 135 with median homes at $395,000, while Pearland's is 99 with median homes at $372,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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