Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Cranston?

Cranston, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,330 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Chicago, IL's $1,470, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $41,000 in Cranston.

Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Cranston?

Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Cranston under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax).

Chicago vs Cranston Cost of Living 2026

Chicago

Illinois

$1,470/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 $1,470 in Chicago, IL versus $1,330 in Cranston, RI. Overall, Cranston, RI is roughly 10% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $87,716 in Cranston, RI — about 14% higher in Cranston, RI. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Chicago, IL

Cranston, RI

Rent

Studio

$1,186

—

1 Bedroom

$1,258

$1,032

+18% in Chicago, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,406

$1,438

+2% in Cranston, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,554

$1,688

+9% in Cranston, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$315,200

$348,800

+11% in Cranston, RI

Income

Median Household Income

$75,134

$87,716

+17% in Cranston, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$53,680

+2% in Chicago, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

40.1 yr

+4.4 yr in Cranston, RI

Homeownership

45.5%

67.3%

+21.8 pp in Cranston, RI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.3%

35.8%

+7.5 pp in Chicago, IL

Avg Commute

33.5 min

23.8 min

+9.7 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

539.8

93.1

+83% in Chicago, IL

Property Crime

3,489.9

1,065.4

+69% in Chicago, IL

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

52.7°F

51.6°F

+1.1°F in Chicago, IL

Annual Precipitation

38.0 in

47.2 in

+9.2 in in Cranston, RI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.24/gal

$3.94/gal

+7% in Chicago, IL

Area: Chicago vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

Adult base one-way fare — CTA vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.9

29.2

+47% in Cranston, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.71

$25.75

+31% 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 Chicago, IL

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 (IL / RI)

6.25%

+0.8 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

5.99%

+1.0 pp in RI

Chicago vs Cranston — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Cranston?: Cranston, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,330 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Chicago, IL's $1,470, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in Cranston?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $41,000 in Cranston.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Cranston?: Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% 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).