Is it cheaper to live in Cranston or Provo?

Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Cranston, RI's $1,330, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

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 Provo.

Which has lower taxes, Cranston or Provo?

Cranston is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax).

Cranston vs Provo Cost of Living 2026

Cranston

Rhode Island

$1,330/mo est.

Provo

Utah

$1,120/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 $1,120 in Provo, UT. Overall, Provo, UT is roughly 16% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Cranston, RI, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $87,716 in Cranston, RI and $62,800 in Provo, UT — about 28% higher in Cranston, RI. Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.

Cranston, RI

Provo, UT

Rent

Studio

—

$1,009

1 Bedroom

$1,032

$978

+5% in Cranston, RI

2 Bedroom

$1,438

$1,128

+22% in Cranston, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,688

$1,381

+18% in Cranston, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$348,800

$437,100

+25% in Provo, UT

Income

Median Household Income

$87,716

$62,800

+28% in Cranston, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$53,680

$48,010

+11% in Cranston, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.1 yr

23.7 yr

+16.4 yr in Cranston, RI

Homeownership

67.3%

39.9%

+27.4 pp in Cranston, RI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.8%

45.0%

+9.2 pp in Provo, UT

Avg Commute

23.8 min

18.5 min

+5.3 min in Cranston, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

93.1

205.7

+121% in Provo, UT

Property Crime

1,065.4

1,280.6

+20% in Provo, UT

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

53.4°F

+1.8°F in Provo, UT

Annual Precipitation

47.2 in

19.8 in

+27.4 in in Cranston, RI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+8% in Provo, UT

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.2

13.4

+54% in Cranston, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$25.75

$11.84

+54% in Cranston, RI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Provo, UT

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Provo, UT

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Provo, UT

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 / UT)

6.1%

+0.9 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

5.99%

4.50%

+1.5 pp in RI

Cranston vs Provo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cranston or Provo?: Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Cranston, RI's $1,330, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cranston than in Provo?: 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 Provo.
Which has lower taxes, Cranston or Provo?: Cranston is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% 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).