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

Providence, RI vs Cranston, RI

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

Summary

Providence spends 20.7% 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
Providence, RI
Pop. 189,715
F
32/100
Budget Balance8
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Cranston, RI
Pop. 82,691
D
47/100
Budget Balance26
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

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

Per Capita Spending by Department

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

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

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

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

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

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