Is it cheaper to live in Cranston or Frederick?

Cranston, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,330 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Frederick, MD's $1,650, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Cranston versus $57,000 in Frederick.

Which has lower taxes, Cranston or Frederick?

Cranston is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax); Frederick under Maryland's (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax).

Cranston vs Frederick Cost of Living 2026

Cranston

Rhode Island

$1,330/mo est.

Frederick

Maryland

$1,650/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 $1,650 in Frederick, MD. Overall, Cranston, RI is roughly 19% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $87,716 in Cranston, RI and $95,150 in Frederick, MD — about 8% higher in Frederick, MD. Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax; Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax.

Cranston, RI

Frederick, MD

Rent

Studio

—

$1,658

1 Bedroom

$1,032

$1,418

+37% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,438

$1,661

+16% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,688

$1,863

+10% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$348,800

$365,200

+5% in Frederick, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$87,716

$95,150

+8% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$53,680

$71,060

+32% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.1 yr

37.1 yr

+3.0 yr in Cranston, RI

Homeownership

67.3%

59.2%

+8.1 pp in Cranston, RI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.8%

41.8%

+6.0 pp in Frederick, MD

Avg Commute

23.8 min

30.1 min

+6.3 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

93.1

406

+336% in Frederick, MD

Property Crime

1,065.4

1,696.3

+59% in Frederick, MD

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

52.1°F

+0.5°F in Frederick, MD

Annual Precipitation

47.2 in

—

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.2

21.8

+25% in Cranston, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$25.75

$22.57

+12% in Cranston, RI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Cranston, RI

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.75

+9% in Cranston, RI

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Frederick, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.45

+6% in Cranston, RI

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$1.90

+13% in Cranston, RI

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Cranston, RI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (RI / MD)

+1.0 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

5.99%

6.50%

+0.5 pp in MD

Cranston vs Frederick — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cranston or Frederick?: Cranston, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,330 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Frederick, MD's $1,650, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cranston than in Frederick?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Cranston versus $57,000 in Frederick.
Which has lower taxes, Cranston or Frederick?: Cranston is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax); Frederick under Maryland's (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% 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).