Is it cheaper to live in Cranston or Wilmington?

Wilmington, DE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,250 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% 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 Wilmington?

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

Which has lower taxes, Cranston or Wilmington?

Cranston is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax); Wilmington under Delaware's (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax).

Cranston vs Wilmington Cost of Living 2026

Cranston

Rhode Island

$1,330/mo est.

Wilmington

Delaware

$1,250/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 $1,250 in Wilmington, DE. Overall, Wilmington, DE is roughly 6% 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 $55,269 in Wilmington, DE — about 37% higher in Cranston, RI. Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax; Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax.

Cranston, RI

Wilmington, DE

Rent

Studio

—

$1,103

1 Bedroom

$1,032

$1,024

+1% in Cranston, RI

2 Bedroom

$1,438

$1,213

+16% in Cranston, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,688

$1,394

+17% in Cranston, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$348,800

$224,500

+36% in Cranston, RI

Income

Median Household Income

$87,716

$55,269

+37% in Cranston, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$53,680

$54,310

+1% in Wilmington, DE

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.1 yr

37.0 yr

+3.1 yr in Cranston, RI

Homeownership

67.3%

46.0%

+21.3 pp in Cranston, RI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.8%

33.1%

+2.7 pp in Cranston, RI

Avg Commute

23.8 min

23.0 min

+0.8 min in Cranston, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

93.1

1,138.2

+1123% in Wilmington, DE

Property Crime

1,065.4

3,182.4

+199% in Wilmington, DE

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 Wilmington, DE

Annual Precipitation

47.2 in

43.1 in

+4.1 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

19.3

+34% in Cranston, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$25.75

$29.73

+15% in Wilmington, DE

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Cranston, RI

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.75

+9% in Cranston, RI

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Wilmington, DE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.45

+6% in Cranston, RI

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$1.90

+13% in Cranston, RI

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Cranston, RI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (RI / DE)

None

+7.0 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

5.99%

6.60%

+0.6 pp in DE

Cranston vs Wilmington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cranston or Wilmington?: Wilmington, DE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,250 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% 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 Wilmington?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Cranston versus $41,000 in Wilmington.
Which has lower taxes, Cranston or Wilmington?: Cranston is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax); Wilmington under Delaware's (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no 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).