Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Cranston?

Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,090 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Cranston, RI's $1,330, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $41,000 in Cranston.

Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Cranston?

Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Cranston under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax).

Columbus vs Cranston Cost of Living 2026

Columbus

Georgia

$1,090/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 $1,090 in Columbus, GA versus $1,330 in Cranston, RI. Overall, Columbus, GA is roughly 18% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Cranston, RI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $56,622 in Columbus, GA and $87,716 in Cranston, RI — about 35% higher in Cranston, RI. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Columbus, GA

Cranston, RI

Rent

Studio

$826

—

1 Bedroom

$875

$1,032

+18% in Cranston, RI

2 Bedroom

$991

$1,438

+45% in Cranston, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,221

$1,688

+38% in Cranston, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$182,300

$348,800

+91% in Cranston, RI

Income

Median Household Income

$56,622

$87,716

+55% in Cranston, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$43,540

$53,680

+23% in Cranston, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

40.1 yr

+5.0 yr in Cranston, RI

Homeownership

50.2%

67.3%

+17.1 pp in Cranston, RI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.7%

35.8%

+6.1 pp in Cranston, RI

Avg Commute

20.2 min

23.8 min

+3.6 min in Cranston, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

612.3

93.1

+85% in Columbus, GA

Property Crime

2,273.4

1,065.4

+53% in Columbus, GA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

65.7°F

51.6°F

+14.1°F in Columbus, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.8 in

47.2 in

+0.4 in in Cranston, RI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

29.2

+79% in Cranston, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$38.60

$25.75

+33% in Columbus, GA

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 Columbus, GA

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 (GA / RI)

+3.0 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

5.99%

+0.8 pp in RI

Columbus vs Cranston — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Cranston?: Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,090 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Cranston, RI's $1,330, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Cranston?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $41,000 in Cranston.
Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Cranston?: Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% 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).