Is it cheaper to live in Cranston or Manchester?

Cranston, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,330 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Manchester, NH's $1,420, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Cranston versus $46,000 in Manchester.

Which has lower taxes, Cranston or Manchester?

Cranston is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax); Manchester under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no state sales tax).

Cranston vs Manchester Cost of Living 2026

Cranston

Rhode Island

$1,330/mo est.

Manchester

New Hampshire

$1,420/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 $1,420 in Manchester, NH. Overall, Cranston, RI is roughly 6% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Manchester, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $87,716 in Cranston, RI and $77,415 in Manchester, NH — about 12% higher in Cranston, RI. Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Cranston, RI

Manchester, NH

Rent

Studio

—

$880

1 Bedroom

$1,032

$1,150

+11% in Manchester, NH

2 Bedroom

$1,438

$1,593

+11% in Manchester, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,688

$1,661

+2% in Cranston, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$348,800

$336,300

+4% in Cranston, RI

Income

Median Household Income

$87,716

$77,415

+12% in Cranston, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$53,680

$56,530

+5% in Manchester, NH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.1 yr

37.9 yr

+2.2 yr in Cranston, RI

Homeownership

67.3%

49.3%

+18.0 pp in Cranston, RI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.8%

33.5%

+2.3 pp in Cranston, RI

Avg Commute

23.8 min

about equal

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

93.1

339.5

+265% in Manchester, NH

Property Crime

1,065.4

1,691.4

+59% in Manchester, NH

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

49.2°F

+2.4°F in Cranston, RI

Annual Precipitation

47.2 in

44.6 in

+2.6 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)

29.2

27.0

+8% in Cranston, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$25.75

$21.67

+16% in Cranston, RI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.92

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (RI / NH)

None

+7.0 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

5.99%

None

+6.0 pp in RI

Cranston vs Manchester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cranston or Manchester?: Cranston, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,330 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Manchester, NH's $1,420, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cranston than in Manchester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Cranston versus $46,000 in Manchester.
Which has lower taxes, Cranston or Manchester?: Cranston is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax); Manchester under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no 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).