Is it cheaper to live in Cranston or Topeka?

Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Cranston, RI's $1,330, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Cranston or Topeka?

Cranston is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax); Topeka under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Cranston vs Topeka Cost of Living 2026

Cranston

Rhode Island

$1,330/mo est.

Topeka

Kansas

$940/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 $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Cranston, RI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $87,716 in Cranston, RI and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 36% higher in Cranston, RI. Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Cranston, RI

Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio

—

$702

1 Bedroom

$1,032

$758

+27% in Cranston, RI

2 Bedroom

$1,438

$977

+32% in Cranston, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,688

$1,177

+30% in Cranston, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$348,800

$130,600

+63% in Cranston, RI

Income

Median Household Income

$87,716

$55,902

+36% in Cranston, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$53,680

$49,540

+8% in Cranston, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.1 yr

38.2 yr

+1.9 yr in Cranston, RI

Homeownership

67.3%

59.2%

+8.1 pp in Cranston, RI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.8%

29.1%

+6.7 pp in Cranston, RI

Avg Commute

23.8 min

16.7 min

+7.1 min in Cranston, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

93.1

856.5

+820% in Topeka, KS

Property Crime

1,065.4

3,660.2

+244% in Topeka, KS

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

55.1°F

+3.5°F in Topeka, KS

Annual Precipitation

47.2 in

36.5 in

+10.7 in in Cranston, RI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.85/gal

+2% in Cranston, RI

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.2

15.7

+46% in Cranston, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$25.75

$25.12

+2% in Cranston, RI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.66

+14% in Cranston, RI

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Topeka, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.77

+2% in Cranston, RI

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.10

+4% in Cranston, RI

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Cranston, RI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (RI / KS)

6.5%

+0.5 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

5.99%

5.58%

+0.4 pp in RI

Cranston vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cranston or Topeka?: Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Cranston, RI's $1,330, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cranston than in Topeka?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Cranston versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Cranston or Topeka?: Cranston is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax); Topeka under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% 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).