Is it cheaper to live in Bowling Green or Cranston?

Bowling Green, KY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Cranston, RI's $1,330, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Bowling Green versus $41,000 in Cranston.

Which has lower taxes, Bowling Green or Cranston?

Bowling Green is taxed under Kentucky's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.50% 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).

Bowling Green vs Cranston Cost of Living 2026

Bowling Green

Kentucky

$1,020/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 $1,020 in Bowling Green, KY versus $1,330 in Cranston, RI. Overall, Bowling Green, KY is roughly 23% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Cranston, RI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $48,419 in Bowling Green, KY and $87,716 in Cranston, RI — about 45% higher in Cranston, RI. Kentucky has a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Bowling Green, KY

Cranston, RI

Rent

Studio

$878

—

1 Bedroom

$833

$1,032

+24% in Cranston, RI

2 Bedroom

$960

$1,438

+50% in Cranston, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,214

$1,688

+39% in Cranston, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$232,100

$348,800

+50% in Cranston, RI

Income

Median Household Income

$48,419

$87,716

+81% in Cranston, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,040

$53,680

+19% in Cranston, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

27.9 yr

40.1 yr

+12.2 yr in Cranston, RI

Homeownership

37.3%

67.3%

+30.0 pp in Cranston, RI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.0%

35.8%

+3.8 pp in Cranston, RI

Avg Commute

18.8 min

23.8 min

+5.0 min in Cranston, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

231

93.1

+60% in Bowling Green, KY

Property Crime

2,984.4

1,065.4

+64% in Bowling Green, KY

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

58.0°F

51.6°F

+6.4°F in Bowling Green, KY

Annual Precipitation

49.9 in

47.2 in

+2.7 in in Bowling Green, KY

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)

14.3

29.2

+105% in Cranston, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.20

$25.75

+22% in Bowling Green, KY

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 Bowling Green, KY

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 (KY / RI)

+1.0 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

3.50%

5.99%

+2.5 pp in RI

Bowling Green vs Cranston — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bowling Green or Cranston?: Bowling Green, KY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Cranston, RI's $1,330, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bowling Green than in Cranston?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Bowling Green versus $41,000 in Cranston.
Which has lower taxes, Bowling Green or Cranston?: Bowling Green is taxed under Kentucky's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.50% 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).