City Comparison

Cranston vs Vienna

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Cranston

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

Vienna

Austria
88
Below Average
$395,000
Median Home
$1,275/mo
Median Rent
$48,000
Median Income

The Verdict

23.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 23.9%, with Vienna being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Cranston has equivalent purchasing power to $60,550 in Vienna.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
135
Cranston
105
Vienna
Groceries
103
Cranston
85
Vienna
Utilities
113
Cranston
98
Vienna
Transportation
93
Cranston
102
Vienna
Healthcare
110
Cranston
82
Vienna

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Cranston has the same purchasing power as $60,550 in Vienna.

Conversely, $75,000 in Vienna equals $92,898 in Cranston.

Living in Cranston vs Vienna

Housing Costs

Cranston's housing index of 135 is higher Vienna's 105, translating to median home prices of $395,000 vs $395,000. The $0 difference in home prices means roughly $0 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Cranston compared to $1,275/mo in Vienna, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Cranston and 85 in Vienna. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Cranston vs $404/month in Vienna. Vienna offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1020/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 113 in Cranston and 98 in Vienna. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in Cranston vs $392 in Vienna. 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 Vienna. 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 $48,000 in Vienna. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,752 and $54,545 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 $1,120/month in Vienna. In Cranston, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Vienna, median rent of $1,275/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 30 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Vienna is 23.9% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 109.
A $75,000 salary in Cranston has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $60,550 in Vienna, based on the cost of living difference.
Cranston's housing index is 135 with median homes at $395,000, while Vienna's is 105 with median homes at $395,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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