Is it cheaper to live in Bellevue or Cranston?

Bellevue, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Cranston, RI's $1,330, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bellevue versus $41,000 in Cranston.

Which has lower taxes, Bellevue or Cranston?

Bellevue is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Cranston under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax).

Bellevue vs Cranston Cost of Living 2026

Bellevue

Nebraska

$1,160/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 $1,160 in Bellevue, NE versus $1,330 in Cranston, RI. Overall, Bellevue, NE is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Cranston, RI, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $87,343 in Bellevue, NE and $87,716 in Cranston, RI. Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Bellevue, NE

Cranston, RI

Rent

Studio

$1,106

—

1 Bedroom

$1,008

$1,032

+2% in Cranston, RI

2 Bedroom

$1,190

$1,438

+21% in Cranston, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,660

$1,688

+2% in Cranston, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$230,800

$348,800

+51% in Cranston, RI

Income

Median Household Income

$87,343

$87,716

+0% in Cranston, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,660

$53,680

+8% in Cranston, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

40.1 yr

+4.0 yr in Cranston, RI

Homeownership

65.5%

67.3%

+1.8 pp in Cranston, RI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.4%

35.8%

+2.4 pp in Cranston, RI

Avg Commute

20.8 min

23.8 min

+3.0 min in Cranston, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

100.8

93.1

+8% in Bellevue, NE

Property Crime

1,149.4

1,065.4

+7% in Bellevue, NE

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

51.1°F

51.6°F

+0.5°F in Cranston, RI

Annual Precipitation

30.6 in

47.2 in

+16.6 in in Cranston, RI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Cranston, RI

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.3

29.2

+121% in Cranston, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.10

$25.75

+28% in Cranston, RI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.92

+16% in Cranston, RI

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Bellevue, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Cranston, RI

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Cranston, RI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Cranston, RI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NE / RI)

5.5%

+1.5 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

4.55%

5.99%

+1.4 pp in RI

Bellevue vs Cranston — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bellevue or Cranston?: Bellevue, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Cranston, RI's $1,330, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bellevue than in Cranston?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bellevue versus $41,000 in Cranston.
Which has lower taxes, Bellevue or Cranston?: Bellevue is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% 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).