Is it cheaper to live in Cranston or Fort Wayne?

Fort Wayne, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $980 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Cranston, RI's $1,330, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Cranston versus $31,000 in Fort Wayne.

Which has lower taxes, Cranston or Fort Wayne?

Cranston is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax); Fort Wayne under Indiana's (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax).

Cranston vs Fort Wayne Cost of Living 2026

Cranston

Rhode Island

$1,330/mo est.

Fort Wayne

Indiana

$980/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 $980 in Fort Wayne, IN. Overall, Fort Wayne, IN is roughly 26% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Cranston, RI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $87,716 in Cranston, RI and $60,293 in Fort Wayne, IN — about 31% higher in Cranston, RI. Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax; Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax.

Cranston, RI

Fort Wayne, IN

Rent

Studio

—

$798

1 Bedroom

$1,032

$782

+24% in Cranston, RI

2 Bedroom

$1,438

$984

+32% in Cranston, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,688

$1,100

+35% in Cranston, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$348,800

$169,700

+51% in Cranston, RI

Income

Median Household Income

$87,716

$60,293

+31% in Cranston, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$53,680

$47,700

+11% in Cranston, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.1 yr

35.0 yr

+5.1 yr in Cranston, RI

Homeownership

67.3%

62.2%

+5.1 pp in Cranston, RI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.8%

28.5%

+7.3 pp in Cranston, RI

Avg Commute

23.8 min

21.4 min

+2.4 min in Cranston, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

93.1

308.9

+232% in Fort Wayne, IN

Property Crime

1,065.4

2,245.4

+111% in Fort Wayne, IN

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

50.5°F

+1.1°F in Cranston, RI

Annual Precipitation

47.2 in

38.3 in

+8.8 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

17.5

+40% in Cranston, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$25.75

$24.52

+5% 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 Fort Wayne, IN

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 / IN)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

5.99%

2.95%

+3.0 pp in RI

Cranston vs Fort Wayne — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cranston or Fort Wayne?: Fort Wayne, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $980 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Cranston, RI's $1,330, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cranston than in Fort Wayne?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Cranston versus $31,000 in Fort Wayne.
Which has lower taxes, Cranston or Fort Wayne?: Cranston is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax); Fort Wayne under Indiana's (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% 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).