City Comparison

Cranston vs Tokyo

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Cranston

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

Tokyo

Japan
82
Very Affordable
$450,000
Median Home
$1,225/mo
Median Rent
$42,000
Median Income

The Verdict

32.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 32.9%, with Tokyo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Cranston has equivalent purchasing power to $56,422 in Tokyo.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
135
Cranston
98
Tokyo
Groceries
103
Cranston
88
Tokyo
Utilities
113
Cranston
85
Tokyo
Transportation
93
Cranston
78
Tokyo
Healthcare
110
Cranston
62
Tokyo

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Cranston has the same purchasing power as $56,422 in Tokyo.

Conversely, $75,000 in Tokyo equals $99,695 in Cranston.

Living in Cranston vs Tokyo

Housing Costs

Cranston's housing index of 135 is higher Tokyo's 98, translating to median home prices of $395,000 vs $450,000. The $55,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,576 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Cranston compared to $1,225/mo in Tokyo, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Cranston and 88 in Tokyo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Cranston vs $418/month in Tokyo. Tokyo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $852/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 113 in Cranston and 85 in Tokyo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in Cranston vs $340 in Tokyo. 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 62 in Tokyo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 48-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 $42,000 in Tokyo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,752 and $51,220 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 $980/month in Tokyo. In Cranston, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Tokyo, median rent of $1,225/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 48 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tokyo is 32.9% more affordable overall with an index of 82 vs 109.
A $75,000 salary in Cranston has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $56,422 in Tokyo, based on the cost of living difference.
Cranston's housing index is 135 with median homes at $395,000, while Tokyo's is 98 with median homes at $450,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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