Warwick, RI vs Cranston, RI
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Warwick, RI and Cranston, RI spend within 11.7% of each other per resident — $46,415 versus $41,543 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Warwick, RI holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 56/100 (grade C) against 47/100 (grade D) for Cranston, RI — a 9-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
Cranston, RI reports no outstanding debt per resident in its Census filing, while Warwick, RI carries $165 per resident. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: education leads in Warwick, RI at $26,642 per resident and in Cranston, RI at $26,714.
They also fund themselves differently: other revenue is the largest single revenue source in Warwick, RI at 19% of total revenue, whereas Cranston, RI relies most on intergovernmental transfers at 100%.
Summary
Warwick spends 11.7% more per capita than Cranston ($4,872/person difference). Warwick, RI has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 56/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Sales Tax | $103 | $85 |
| Intergovernmental | $2,416 | $12,769 |
| Charges & Fees | $1,544 | $0 |
| Other | $3,289 | $4,701 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $265 | $866 |
| Highways & Roads | $147 | $0 |
| Education | $26,642 | $26,714 |
| Public Welfare | $1,000 | $2,195 |
| Health | $12 | $507 |
| Hospitals | $585 | $236 |
| Parks & Recreation | $284 | $475 |
| Housing | $2,809 | $4,165 |
| Sewerage | $116 | $152 |
| Utilities | $1,704 | $0 |
| Other | $12,850 | $6,233 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.