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Data from U.S. Census Bureau · 2026 · Methodology
CitySpend

Cranston, RI vs Providence, RI

Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)

Summary

Providence spends 17.1% more per capita than Cranston ($8,581/person difference). Cranston, RI has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (D, 47/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Cranston, RI
Pop. 82,691
D
47/100
Budget Balance26
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Providence, RI
Pop. 189,715
F
32/100
Budget Balance8
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Cranston
Providence
Total Spending
$3.4B
$9.5B
Spending / Capita
$41,543
$50,124
Total Revenue
$1.1B
$7.3B
Revenue / Capita
$12,769
$38,670
Total Debt
$0
$315.7M
Debt / Capita
$0
$1,664
Population
82,691
189,715
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Cranston$866
Providence$455
Highways & Roads
Cranston$0
Providence$605
Parks & Recreation
Cranston$475
Providence$653
Education
Cranston$26,714
Providence$29,047
Health
Cranston$507
Providence$219

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

CranstonProvidence
Property Tax
$0
$12
Sales Tax
$85
$97
Intergovernmental
$12,769
$695
Charges & Fees
$0
$4,981
Other
$4,701
$5,833

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

CranstonProvidence
Fire Protection
$866
$455
Highways & Roads
$0
$605
Education
$26,714
$29,047
Public Welfare
$2,195
$375
Health
$507
$219
Hospitals
$236
$769
Parks & Recreation
$475
$653
Housing
$4,165
$5,495
Sewerage
$152
$204
Utilities
$0
$3,615
Other
$6,233
$8,688
D
Cranston, RI
Fiscal Health Score: 47/100
Below average fiscal health
F
Providence, RI
Fiscal Health Score: 32/100
Critical fiscal distress

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