Cranston vs Roanoke
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Cranston
Roanoke
The Verdict
Living in Roanoke costs 34.6% less than Cranston. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Cranston, you would need $55,734 in Roanoke.
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 $55,734 in Roanoke.
Conversely, $75,000 in Roanoke equals $100,926 in Cranston.
Living in Cranston vs Roanoke
Housing Costs
Cranston's housing index of 135 is higher Roanoke's 57, translating to median home prices of $395,000 vs $225,000. The $170,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,052 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Cranston compared to $1,075/mo in Roanoke, a monthly difference of $300.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 103 in Cranston and 97 in Roanoke. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Cranston vs $461/month in Roanoke. Roanoke 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 116 in Roanoke. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in Cranston vs $464 in Roanoke. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 110 in Cranston and 91 in Roanoke. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-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 $52,700 in Roanoke. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,752 and $65,062 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 $1,230/month in Roanoke. In Cranston, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Roanoke, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 78 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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