Salary Needed to Live in Cranston as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $62,052/year to live comfortably in Cranston, RI, including 10% savings.
Direct Answer
A single person needs about $62,052/year to live comfortably in Cranston, RI. The bare-minimum salary is $53,433/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 10% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,620.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,206/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $5,171/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$62,052
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$53,433
$4,453/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,206
11% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Cranston
| Expense | Cranston | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1BR Rent | $962 | $1,351 | -29% |
| Groceries | $254 | $207 | +23% |
| Utilities | $171 | $169 | +1% |
| Transportation | $324 | $316 | +3% |
| Car Insurance | $171 | $229 | -25% |
| Health Insurance | $640 | $690 | -7% |
| Internet | $69 | $65 | +6% |
| Phone | $90 | $85 | +6% |
| Dining & Social | $318 | $300 | +6% |
| Entertainment | $127 | $120 | +6% |
| Personal Care | $80 | $75 | +7% |
| Total Monthly | $3,206 | $3,607 | -11% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,206
Target savings (10%):$414/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,620
Effective tax rate:28%
Gross annual salary needed:$62,052
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$962
Studio/1BR rent is 30% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
28%
Estimated federal plus RI state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
10%
$414/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
106/100
Cranston is below the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby northeast Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep studio/1br housing near $962/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $684/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone.
- Use $53,433/year as the survival floor and $62,052/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Cranston
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in Cranston?
A single person needs approximately $62,052/year ($5,171/month gross) to live comfortably in Cranston with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Cranston?
A studio/1br in Cranston costs approximately $962/month, which is the largest single expense at 30% of the total budget.
Is Cranston affordable for a single person?
Yes, Cranston is 11% more affordable than the national average for a single person.