Is it cheaper to live in Cranston or West Valley City?

They're close. Cranston, RI runs about $1,330 a month and West Valley City, UT about $1,330 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Cranston than in West Valley City?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Cranston versus $48,000 in West Valley City.

Which has lower taxes, Cranston or West Valley City?

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

Cranston vs West Valley City Cost of Living 2026

Cranston

Rhode Island

$1,330/mo est.

West Valley City

Utah

$1,330/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 $1,330 in West Valley City, UT. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.

Median household income is $87,716 in Cranston, RI and $88,604 in West Valley City, UT — about 1% higher in West Valley City, UT. 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

West Valley City, UT

Rent

Studio

—

$1,085

1 Bedroom

$1,032

$1,191

+15% in West Valley City, UT

2 Bedroom

$1,438

$1,333

+7% in Cranston, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,688

$1,723

+2% in West Valley City, UT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$348,800

$377,300

+8% in West Valley City, UT

Income

Median Household Income

$87,716

$88,604

+1% in West Valley City, UT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$53,680

$55,240

+3% in West Valley City, UT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.1 yr

30.3 yr

+9.8 yr in Cranston, RI

Homeownership

67.3%

71.1%

+3.8 pp in West Valley City, UT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.8%

15.7%

+20.1 pp in Cranston, RI

Avg Commute

23.8 min

22.2 min

+1.6 min in Cranston, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

93.1

471.8

+407% in West Valley City, UT

Property Crime

1,065.4

1,855.5

+74% in West Valley City, 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

52.8°F

+1.2°F in West Valley City, UT

Annual Precipitation

47.2 in

16.1 in

+31.1 in in Cranston, RI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+8% in West Valley City, 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 West Valley City, UT

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in West Valley City, UT

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in West Valley City, 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 West Valley City — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cranston or West Valley City?: They're close. Cranston, RI runs about $1,330 a month and West Valley City, UT about $1,330 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cranston than in West Valley City?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Cranston versus $48,000 in West Valley City.
Which has lower taxes, Cranston or West Valley City?: Cranston is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax); West Valley City 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).