Is it cheaper to live in Cranston or Rochester?

Rochester, NY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Cranston, RI's $1,330, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Cranston versus $34,000 in Rochester.

Which has lower taxes, Cranston or Rochester?

Cranston is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax); Rochester under New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax).

Cranston vs Rochester Cost of Living 2026

Cranston

Rhode Island

$1,330/mo est.

Rochester

New York

$1,160/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 $1,160 in Rochester, NY. Overall, Rochester, NY is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Cranston, RI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $87,716 in Cranston, RI and $46,628 in Rochester, NY — about 47% higher in Cranston, RI. Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax; New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax.

Cranston, RI

Rochester, NY

Rent

Studio

—

$750

1 Bedroom

$1,032

$857

+17% in Cranston, RI

2 Bedroom

$1,438

$1,114

+23% in Cranston, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,688

$1,240

+27% in Cranston, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$348,800

$120,600

+65% in Cranston, RI

Income

Median Household Income

$87,716

$46,628

+47% in Cranston, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$53,680

$51,210

+5% in Cranston, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.1 yr

33.5 yr

+6.6 yr in Cranston, RI

Homeownership

67.3%

37.2%

+30.1 pp in Cranston, RI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.8%

29.9%

+5.9 pp in Cranston, RI

Avg Commute

23.8 min

18.9 min

+4.9 min in Cranston, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

93.1

690

+641% in Rochester, NY

Property Crime

1,065.4

3,533.4

+232% in Rochester, NY

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

48.2°F

+3.4°F in Cranston, RI

Annual Precipitation

47.2 in

34.3 in

+12.9 in in Cranston, RI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.13/gal

+5% in Rochester, NY

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs New York.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.2

29.5

+1% in Rochester, NY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$25.75

$27.01

+5% in Rochester, NY

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 / NY)

+3.0 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

5.99%

10.90%

+4.9 pp in NY

Cranston vs Rochester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cranston or Rochester?: Rochester, NY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Cranston, RI's $1,330, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cranston than in Rochester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Cranston versus $34,000 in Rochester.
Which has lower taxes, Cranston or Rochester?: Cranston is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax); Rochester under New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% 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).