Is it cheaper to live in Cranston or Idaho Falls?

Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Cranston, RI's $1,330, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Cranston versus $33,000 in Idaho Falls.

Which has lower taxes, Cranston or Idaho Falls?

Cranston is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax); Idaho Falls under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Cranston vs Idaho Falls Cost of Living 2026

Cranston

Rhode Island

$1,330/mo est.

Idaho Falls

Idaho

$970/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 $970 in Idaho Falls, ID. Overall, Idaho Falls, ID is roughly 27% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Cranston, RI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $87,716 in Cranston, RI and $69,630 in Idaho Falls, ID — about 21% higher in Cranston, RI. Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Cranston, RI

Idaho Falls, ID

Rent

Studio

—

$818

1 Bedroom

$1,032

$827

+20% in Cranston, RI

2 Bedroom

$1,438

$957

+33% in Cranston, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,688

$1,278

+24% in Cranston, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$348,800

$298,600

+14% in Cranston, RI

Income

Median Household Income

$87,716

$69,630

+21% in Cranston, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$53,680

$46,800

+13% in Cranston, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.1 yr

33.5 yr

+6.6 yr in Cranston, RI

Homeownership

67.3%

64.1%

+3.2 pp in Cranston, RI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.8%

31.0%

+4.8 pp in Cranston, RI

Avg Commute

23.8 min

18.2 min

+5.6 min in Cranston, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

93.1

365.3

+292% in Idaho Falls, ID

Property Crime

1,065.4

1,235.5

+16% in Idaho Falls, ID

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

44.2°F

+7.4°F in Cranston, RI

Annual Precipitation

47.2 in

10.4 in

+36.8 in in Cranston, RI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+8% in Idaho Falls, ID

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.2

14.4

+51% in Cranston, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$25.75

$11.33

+56% in Cranston, RI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Idaho Falls, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Idaho Falls, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Idaho Falls, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.01

+8% in Cranston, RI

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.70

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (RI / ID)

+1.0 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

5.99%

5.30%

+0.7 pp in RI

Cranston vs Idaho Falls — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cranston or Idaho Falls?: Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Cranston, RI's $1,330, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cranston than in Idaho Falls?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Cranston versus $33,000 in Idaho Falls.
Which has lower taxes, Cranston or Idaho Falls?: Cranston is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax); Idaho Falls under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).