Is it cheaper to live in Cranston or Newark?

Newark, NJ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,230 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Cranston, RI's $1,330, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Cranston versus $39,000 in Newark.

Which has lower taxes, Cranston or Newark?

Cranston is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax); Newark under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax).

Cranston vs Newark Cost of Living 2026

Cranston

Rhode Island

$1,330/mo est.

Newark

New Jersey

$1,230/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 $1,230 in Newark, NJ. Overall, Newark, NJ is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Cranston, RI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $87,716 in Cranston, RI and $48,416 in Newark, NJ — about 45% higher in Cranston, RI. Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax; New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax.

Cranston, RI

Newark, NJ

Rent

Studio

—

$1,111

1 Bedroom

$1,032

$978

+5% in Cranston, RI

2 Bedroom

$1,438

$1,386

+4% in Cranston, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,688

$1,695

+0% in Newark, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$348,800

$337,800

+3% in Cranston, RI

Income

Median Household Income

$87,716

$48,416

+45% in Cranston, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$53,680

$61,430

+14% in Newark, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.1 yr

34.8 yr

+5.3 yr in Cranston, RI

Homeownership

67.3%

24.1%

+43.2 pp in Cranston, RI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.8%

17.4%

+18.4 pp in Cranston, RI

Avg Commute

23.8 min

33.2 min

+9.4 min in Newark, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

93.1

582.5

+526% in Newark, NJ

Property Crime

1,065.4

1,961.8

+84% in Newark, NJ

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

54.9°F

+3.3°F in Newark, NJ

Annual Precipitation

47.2 in

46.3 in

+0.9 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

24.9

+15% in Cranston, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$25.75

$17.68

+31% 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 / NJ)

6.625%

+0.4 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

5.99%

10.75%

+4.8 pp in NJ

Cranston vs Newark — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cranston or Newark?: Newark, NJ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,230 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Cranston, RI's $1,330, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cranston than in Newark?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Cranston versus $39,000 in Newark.
Which has lower taxes, Cranston or Newark?: Cranston is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax); Newark under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% 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).