Is it cheaper to live in Cranston or Des Moines?

Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Cranston, RI's $1,330, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Cranston or Des Moines?

Cranston is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax); Des Moines under Iowa's (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax).

Cranston vs Des Moines Cost of Living 2026

Cranston

Rhode Island

$1,330/mo est.

Des Moines

Iowa

$1,050/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,330 in Cranston, RI versus $1,050 in Des Moines, IA. Overall, Des Moines, IA is roughly 21% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Cranston, RI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $87,716 in Cranston, RI and $63,966 in Des Moines, IA — about 27% higher in Cranston, RI. Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax; Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax.

Cranston, RI

Des Moines, IA

Rent

Studio

—

$870

1 Bedroom

$1,032

$870

+16% in Cranston, RI

2 Bedroom

$1,438

$1,099

+24% in Cranston, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,688

$1,334

+21% in Cranston, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$348,800

$183,700

+47% in Cranston, RI

Income

Median Household Income

$87,716

$63,966

+27% in Cranston, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$53,680

$51,820

+3% in Cranston, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.1 yr

34.6 yr

+5.5 yr in Cranston, RI

Homeownership

67.3%

60.4%

+6.9 pp in Cranston, RI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.8%

29.0%

+6.8 pp in Cranston, RI

Avg Commute

23.8 min

19.6 min

+4.2 min in Cranston, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

93.1

707.3

+660% in Des Moines, IA

Property Crime

1,065.4

3,156.6

+196% in Des Moines, IA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

51.6°F

50.9°F

+0.7°F in Cranston, RI

Annual Precipitation

47.2 in

36.0 in

+11.2 in in Cranston, RI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.85/gal

+2% in Cranston, RI

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.2

15.9

+46% in Cranston, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$25.75

$22.16

+14% in Cranston, RI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.66

+14% in Cranston, RI

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Des Moines, IA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.77

+2% in Cranston, RI

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.10

+4% in Cranston, RI

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Cranston, RI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (RI / IA)

+1.0 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

5.99%

3.80%

+2.2 pp in RI

Cranston vs Des Moines — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cranston or Des Moines?: Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Cranston, RI's $1,330, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cranston than in Des Moines?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Cranston versus $35,000 in Des Moines.
Which has lower taxes, Cranston or Des Moines?: Cranston is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax); Des Moines under Iowa's (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% 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).