City Comparison
Cranston vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Cranston scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Cranston
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Cranston.
Housing costs are a major driver: Cranston's average rent is
24% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Cranston | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,410 | +24% |
| Groceries | $420 | $493 | -15% |
| Utilities | $195 | $178 | +10% |
| Transport | $125 | $120 | +4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,730 | $2,451 | +11% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 13% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cincinnati delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Cranston is estimated at
$58,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Cranston | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,500 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,426 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $84,500 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Cranston runs warmer on average — a 51.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Cranston comes out ahead with 253 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Cranston sees 19.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Cranston | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 22.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 46.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 19.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Cranston scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Cincinnati leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Cranston | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Cranston.
From a growth perspective, Cincinnati is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Cranston | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,928 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Cranston
Advantages
Median home prices in Cranston remain more affordable than neighboring Boston while offering close proximity to Providence per Zillow data.
Violent crime rates in Cranston consistently trend below national medians according to FBI Uniform Crime Reporting statistics.
The city features vibrant, walkable historic commercial districts like Pawtuxet Village with unique local dining and shops.
Cranston provides excellent geographic connectivity with direct access to I-95 and I-295 for easy regional commuting.
Extensive park systems and recreational spaces like Meshanticut Park offer strong outdoor lifestyle amenities.
Drawbacks
New England regional energy costs push utility expenses above the national average per BLS consumer expenditure reports.
Public transit options are limited outside of core bus routes, maintaining high car dependency for daily commutes.
Housing inventory shortages have driven up rental and purchase prices significantly over recent years.
Winter weather brings heavy snowfall averaging nearly 20 inches annually, requiring significant snow removal upkeep.
Traffic congestion along major commercial corridors like Route 2 can experience heavy bottlenecks during peak hours.
Cincinnati
Advantages
The cost of living in Cincinnati is 3% lower than the national average, making it more affordable than many major U.S. cities.
Cincinnati boasts a diverse and growing economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services.
The city offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, including museums, theaters, and a symphony orchestra.
Several neighborhoods, such as Over-The-Rhine and the Central Business District, are highly walkable, with Walk Scores of 94 and 92 respectively.
The median property value in Cincinnati was $230,900 in 2024, significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership more accessible.
Drawbacks
While some areas are highly walkable, the city's overall Walk Score of 49 indicates a car-dependent environment for most errands.
Public transportation, while available, is not considered the most dependable, often necessitating a personal vehicle.
The city's poverty rate was 25.5% in 2024, which is higher than the national average.
Cincinnati experiences extreme seasonal variations in humidity, with muggy summers and very cold, snowy winters.
The average commute time in the Cincinnati metropolitan area was 2 hours daily in 2023, which is relatively long compared to some other cities.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Cranston
#278Rhode Island, USA
61.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$68,500
Cost Index
108
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
51.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
78
Business
72
Cincinnati
#501Ohio, USA
52.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$79,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
49.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
70
Business
72
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