City Comparison
Cranston vs Johnston
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Johnston scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Cranston
Johnston
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cranston is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Johnston.
Housing costs are a major driver: Cranston's average rent is
16% lower than Johnston's.
| Metric | Cranston | Johnston | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $2,072 | -16% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $195 | $180 | +8% |
| Transport | $125 | $120 | +4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,730 | $3,022 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 105 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Johnston offers 5% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Johnston delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Cranston is estimated at
$58,000 vs $60,000 in Johnston.
| Metric | Cranston | Johnston |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,500 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $60,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,426 idx | 68,571 idx |
| Household Income | $84,500 | $91,866 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Cranston | Johnston |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.70°F | 51.70°F |
| Summer High | 80.60°F | 80.60°F |
| Winter Low | 22.30°F | 22.30°F |
| Rainfall | 46.30 in | 46.30 in |
| Snowfall | 19.90 in | 19.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | 253 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Johnston scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Johnston leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Cranston | Johnston |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cranston is the larger city
— approximately 2.7x the population of Johnston.
From a growth perspective, Johnston is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Cranston has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Cranston | Johnston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,928 | 30,626 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.43% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 44.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.30% |
| 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.
Johnston
Advantages
Median household income stands at a robust $91,866 per census data, outperforming national averages.
Convenient location in Providence County providing quick access to downtown Providence and major highways.
Quiet, family-friendly residential neighborhoods such as Winsor Hill and Graniteville.
Active local municipal governance with dedicated community parks and recreational programming.
Close proximity to top-tier healthcare systems and medical centers in Rhode Island.
Drawbacks
Average rent prices exceed $2,000 per month, reflecting broader regional housing pressures.
High car dependency with limited public transit infrastructure within town boundaries.
Property tax rates and real estate costs have risen steadily in line with statewide trends.
Varying winter weather conditions require reliable snow removal and vehicle preparation.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options directly within town borders, requiring trips to Providence.
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
Johnston
#253Rhode Island, USA
62.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,072
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
51.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.43%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
76
Business
70
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