City Comparison

Cranston vs Sao Paulo

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Cranston

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

Sao Paulo

Brazil
38
Very Affordable
$145,000
Median Home
$475/mo
Median Rent
$11,500
Median Income

The Verdict

186.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 186.8%, with Sao Paulo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Cranston has equivalent purchasing power to $26,147 in Sao Paulo.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
135
Cranston
22
Sao Paulo
Groceries
103
Cranston
38
Sao Paulo
Utilities
113
Cranston
28
Sao Paulo
Transportation
93
Cranston
35
Sao Paulo
Healthcare
110
Cranston
22
Sao Paulo

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Cranston has the same purchasing power as $26,147 in Sao Paulo.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sao Paulo equals $215,132 in Cranston.

Living in Cranston vs Sao Paulo

Housing Costs

Cranston's housing index of 135 is higher Sao Paulo's 22, translating to median home prices of $395,000 vs $145,000. The $250,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,248 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Cranston compared to $475/mo in Sao Paulo, a monthly difference of $900.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Cranston and 38 in Sao Paulo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Cranston vs $181/month in Sao Paulo. Sao Paulo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $3696/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 113 in Cranston and 28 in Sao Paulo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in Cranston vs $112 in Sao Paulo. 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 22 in Sao Paulo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 88-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 $11,500 in Sao Paulo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,752 and $30,263 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 $268/month in Sao Paulo. In Cranston, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Sao Paulo, median rent of $475/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 113 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sao Paulo is 186.8% more affordable overall with an index of 38 vs 109.
A $75,000 salary in Cranston has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $26,147 in Sao Paulo, based on the cost of living difference.
Cranston's housing index is 135 with median homes at $395,000, while Sao Paulo's is 22 with median homes at $145,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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