Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Cranston?

Cranston, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,330 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Annapolis, MD's $1,830, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Cranston?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $41,000 in Cranston.

Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Cranston?

Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Cranston under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax).

Annapolis vs Cranston Cost of Living 2026

Annapolis

Maryland

$1,830/mo est.

Cranston

Rhode Island

$1,330/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,830 in Annapolis, MD versus $1,330 in Cranston, RI. Overall, Cranston, RI is roughly 27% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Annapolis, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $104,257 in Annapolis, MD and $87,716 in Cranston, RI — about 16% higher in Annapolis, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Annapolis, MD

Cranston, RI

Rent

Studio

$1,239

—

1 Bedroom

$1,598

$1,032

+35% in Annapolis, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,864

$1,438

+23% in Annapolis, MD

3 Bedroom

$2,232

$1,688

+24% in Annapolis, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$510,200

$348,800

+32% in Annapolis, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$104,257

$87,716

+16% in Annapolis, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$53,680

+9% in Annapolis, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.9 yr

40.1 yr

+0.8 yr in Annapolis, MD

Homeownership

59.8%

67.3%

+7.5 pp in Cranston, RI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

53.7%

35.8%

+17.9 pp in Annapolis, MD

Avg Commute

28.7 min

23.8 min

+4.9 min in Annapolis, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

806

93.1

+88% in Annapolis, MD

Property Crime

2,111.5

1,065.4

+50% in Annapolis, MD

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

57.1°F

51.6°F

+5.5°F in Annapolis, MD

Annual Precipitation

—

47.2 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

29.2

+34% in Cranston, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.57

$25.75

+14% in Cranston, RI

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Cranston, RI

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Cranston, RI

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Annapolis, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Cranston, RI

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Cranston, RI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Cranston, RI

Average prices — South vs Northeast (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / RI)

+1.0 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

5.99%

+0.5 pp in MD

Annapolis vs Cranston — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Cranston?: Cranston, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,330 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Annapolis, MD's $1,830, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Cranston?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $41,000 in Cranston.
Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Cranston?: Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Cranston under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).