City Comparison
Cranston vs Smithfield
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Smithfield scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Cranston
Smithfield
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cranston is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
4% lower than in Smithfield.
| Metric | Cranston | Smithfield | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,850 | -5% |
| Groceries | $420 | $420 | 0% |
| Utilities | $195 | $210 | -7% |
| Transport | $125 | $130 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,730 | $2,850 | -4% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 108 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Smithfield offers 10% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Smithfield delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Cranston is estimated at
$58,000 vs $62,000 in Smithfield.
| Metric | Cranston | Smithfield |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,500 | $76,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $62,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,426 idx | 70,370 idx |
| Household Income | $84,500 | $105,400 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Smithfield sees 1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Cranston | Smithfield |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.70°F | 50.60°F |
| Summer High | 80.60°F | 79.40°F |
| Winter Low | 22.30°F | 20.80°F |
| Rainfall | 46.30 in | 44.80 in |
| Snowfall | 19.90 in | 20.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | 252 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 66.00% |
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, Cranston leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Cranston | Smithfield |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 32.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cranston is the larger city
— approximately 3.7x the population of Smithfield.
From a growth perspective, Cranston is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Smithfield has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Cranston | Smithfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,928 | 22,118 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 43.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 3.80% |
| 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.
Smithfield
Advantages
Violent and property crime rates remain significantly lower than the national average per FBI and local law enforcement data.
Home to Bryant University, providing strong educational opportunities and an intellectually vibrant community atmosphere.
Conveniently situated near major highways like I-295, offering easy commutes to Providence and Boston.
Abundant access to natural green spaces, including Stump Pond and municipal parks for outdoor recreation.
Consistently well-rated local public school system that attracts families to the area.
Drawbacks
High cost of housing and competitive real estate market limit affordable options for first-time buyers.
High car dependency makes daily errands and commuting difficult without personal vehicle access.
Limited public transportation infrastructure with infrequent bus service outside major corridors.
Property tax rates in Rhode Island can impose a heavy financial burden on homeowners.
Limited local nightlife and entertainment options compared to nearby 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
Smithfield
#151Rhode Island, USA
65.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,850
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
32.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
252/yr
Avg Temp
50.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
80
Business
70
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