How much does it cost to rent in Cranston, RI?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Cranston, RI is $2,009. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Cranston cheaper than other Rhode Island cities?

Cranston is among the more affordable cities in Rhode Island, ranking #17 out of 24 cities at $2,009/mo.

When was Cranston rent data last updated?

Cranston rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

Is Cranston a renter's market or a landlord's market?

Based on RentDataNow's Rent Market Meter, Cranston is currently a renter's market. Rents are softening (up only 5.2% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage. The meter is derived from rent-price momentum (year-over-year and month-over-month change), not inventory levels.

City Report · RI

Cranston

Name: Average Rent Prices in Cranston, RI
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 83,250·17th most expensive in Rhode Island·Cranston rents are up 5.2% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$2,009/mo

Year-over-Year

+5.2%

Month-over-Month

-3.6%

vs US Median

+$44

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Cranston · $2,009

More expensive than 60% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

67/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 8% below what Cranston's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$2,009/mo

Expected by trend

$2,194/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Cranston's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,315

1 BR

$1,410

2 BR

$1,725

3 BR

$2,075

4 BR+

$2,525

Research median

$1,725/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$24,108/yr

At $2,009/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are softening (up only 5.2% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.

Based on rent-price momentum (+5.2% YoY, -3.6% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Cranston, RI is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 36.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

83,250

Median income

$90,206

Median age

39.6

Renters

32.4%

Age distribution

19.6%

23.5%

24.8%

15.3%

16.8%

Under 1819.6%

18–3423.5%

35–5424.8%

55–6415.3%

65+16.8%

Gender

50.2%

49.8%

Male50.2%

Female49.8%

Race & ethnicity

68.3%

18.8%

White68.3%

Black6.6%

Hispanic18.8%

Asian7%

Education (25+)

24.8%

28.6%

36.4%

No HS diploma10.2%

HS diploma24.8%

Some college28.6%

Bachelor's+36.4%

Housing tenure

67.6%

32.4%

Owner67.6%

Renter32.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2022 vs 2026

How Cranston, RI has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,585 → $2,009

up 26.8%

Income

$77,145 → $90,206

up 16.9%

Population

82,654 → 83,250

up 0.7%

Renter share

32.8% → 32.4%

-0.4 pts

Bachelor's+

33.9% → 36.4%

+2.5 pts

Across the past five years, the going rent in Cranston, RI has shifted from $1,585 to $2,009, up 26.8% since 2022. Census figures show median household income at $90,206 today, compared with $77,145 five years earlier. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 33.9% to 36.4% across the same window. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2022.

Community

Discussions about Cranston

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View Cranston rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Cranston on your salary?

At $2,009/mo, how Cranston rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $98,259/yr · Rent = 24.5% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $69,763/yr · Rent = 34.6% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $80,361/yr · Rent = 30% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $143,634/yr · Rent = 16.8% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $183,529/yr · Rent = 13.1% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $65,322/yr · Rent = 36.9% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $58,978/yr · Rent = 40.9% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $72,696/yr · Rent = 33.2% income

stretched

By apartment size

Cranston rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Cranston. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Cranston

About renting in Cranston, RI

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Cranston is $2,009/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,315/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,725/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,410/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,075/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($90,206/yr), Cranston ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Cranston an affordable city for renters?

Cranston is considered affordable for renters. At $2,009/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($90,206/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Cranston falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Cranston?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $80,000/year (~$38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,009/mo in Cranston. The local median household income is $90,206/yr, meaning the typical Cranston household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Cranston?

Rent in Cranston has increased 5.2% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Cranston neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Cranston are 02910 ($1,840/mo), and 02920 ($2,046/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Cranston is $2,009/mo.

How does Cranston rent compare to other cities in Rhode Island?

Cranston is one of the more affordable cities in Rhode Island for rent, ranking #17 out of 24 tracked cities at $2,009/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Cranston?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Cranston ($2,009/mo): East Providence ($1,908/mo), North Providence ($1,944/mo).

What percentage of Cranston residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 32.4% of Cranston households are renters, while 67.6% are owner-occupied. Cranston leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Cranston rent compare to the national average?

Cranston's median rent of $2,009/mo is $44 (2%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Rhode Island, it ranks #17 out of 24 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

27%

AFFORDABLE

At $2,009/mo, rent takes ~27% of Cranston's median household income ($90,206/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Cranston 27%Benchmark 30%

State income tax3.75–5.99%

Run the Cranston affordability calculator →

Nearby cities