Is it cheaper to live in Cranston or Meridian?

Cranston, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,330 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Cranston versus $62,000 in Meridian.

Which has lower taxes, Cranston or Meridian?

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

Cranston vs Meridian Cost of Living 2026

Cranston

Rhode Island

$1,330/mo est.

Meridian

Idaho

$1,690/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 $1,690 in Meridian, ID. Overall, Cranston, RI is roughly 21% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Meridian, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $87,716 in Cranston, RI and $98,686 in Meridian, ID — about 11% higher in Meridian, ID. 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

Meridian, ID

Rent

Studio

—

$1,523

1 Bedroom

$1,032

$1,540

+49% in Meridian, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,438

$1,489

+4% in Meridian, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,688

$1,893

+12% in Meridian, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$348,800

$485,000

+39% in Meridian, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$87,716

$98,686

+13% in Meridian, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$53,680

$49,100

+9% in Cranston, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.1 yr

37.4 yr

+2.7 yr in Cranston, RI

Homeownership

67.3%

76.1%

+8.8 pp in Meridian, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.8%

44.4%

+8.6 pp in Meridian, ID

Avg Commute

23.8 min

22.3 min

+1.5 min in Cranston, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

93.1

150.3

+61% in Meridian, ID

Property Crime

1,065.4

583.5

+45% in Cranston, RI

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

52.5°F

+0.9°F in Meridian, ID

Annual Precipitation

47.2 in

11.7 in

+35.5 in in Cranston, RI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+8% in Meridian, 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 Meridian, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Meridian, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Meridian, 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 Meridian — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cranston or Meridian?: Cranston, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,330 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cranston than in Meridian?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Cranston versus $62,000 in Meridian.
Which has lower taxes, Cranston or Meridian?: Cranston is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax); Meridian 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).