City Comparison

Cranston vs Springdale

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Cranston

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

Springdale

Arkansas
87
Below Average
$299,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$62,100
Median Income

The Verdict

25.3%

Living in Springdale costs 25.3% less than Cranston. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Cranston, you would need $59,862 in Springdale.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
135
Cranston
86
Springdale
Groceries
103
Cranston
97
Springdale
Utilities
113
Cranston
93
Springdale
Transportation
93
Cranston
91
Springdale
Healthcare
110
Cranston
82
Springdale

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Cranston has the same purchasing power as $59,862 in Springdale.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springdale equals $93,966 in Cranston.

Living in Cranston vs Springdale

Housing Costs

Cranston's housing index of 135 is higher Springdale's 86, translating to median home prices of $395,000 vs $299,000. The $96,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,240 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Cranston compared to $1,000/mo in Springdale, a monthly difference of $375.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Cranston and 97 in Springdale. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Cranston vs $461/month in Springdale. Springdale 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 93 in Springdale. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in Cranston vs $372 in Springdale. 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 82 in Springdale. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 28-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 $62,100 in Springdale. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,752 and $71,379 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 $1,449/month in Springdale. In Cranston, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Springdale, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 49 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springdale is 25.3% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 109.
A $75,000 salary in Cranston has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $59,862 in Springdale, based on the cost of living difference.
Cranston's housing index is 135 with median homes at $395,000, while Springdale's is 86 with median homes at $299,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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