Compare towns
Johnston vs Smithfield vs Cranston
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Rhode Island.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Johnston has the oldest population (median age 44.5).
Smithfield has the most expensive homes ($446k median).
Cranston has the most kids (19.6% under 18).
What matters to you?
Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.
| Measure | Johnston | Smithfield | Cranston |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 29,835 |
22,233Lowest |
83,250Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.8%Lowest RI: +4.3% |
+3.2%Highest RI: +4.3% |
+3.2%Highest RI: +4.3% |
| Median age | 44.5±2.5Highest 10% above RI |
41.8±2.6 about the RI average |
39.6±0.9Lowest about the RI average |
| Johnston and Smithfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 17.5%±2.4 RI: 18.8% |
16.9%±2.4Lowest RI: 18.8% |
19.6%±1.4Highest RI: 18.8% |
| Cranston and Johnston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 22.1%±2.6Highest RI: 18.7% |
21.1%±2.1 RI: 18.7% |
16.8%±1.1Lowest RI: 18.7% |
| Johnston and Smithfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 28.9%Lowest RI: 37.7% |
40%Highest RI: 37.7% |
36.4% RI: 37.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.1%±1.6Lowest RI: 8.3% |
16.7%±0.9Highest RI: 8.3% |
6.3%±0.8 RI: 8.3% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $91,866±$6k 5% above RI |
$102,077±$8kHighest 16% above RI |
$90,206±$4kLowest about the RI average |
| Smithfield and Johnston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $355,500±$13kLowest 12% below RI |
$446,400±$12kHighest 10% above RI |
$378,300±$7k 6% below RI |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,275±$132 5% below RI |
$1,016±$241Lowest 24% below RI |
$1,375±$59Highest about the RI average |
| Cranston and Johnston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,614Lowest 6% below RI |
$5,207Highest 6% above RI |
$5,103 4% above RI |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 38.1%±8.7Lowest RI: 48% |
57.1%±17.7Highest RI: 48% |
47.3%±6 RI: 48% |
| Smithfield and Cranston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 7.9% RI: 11.2% |
6.2%Lowest RI: 11.2% |
10.2%Highest RI: 11.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 75.9% RI: 63.6% |
81.6%Highest RI: 63.6% |
67.6%Lowest RI: 63.6% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1968 6 yrs newer than RI |
1976Highest 14 yrs newer than RI |
1958Lowest 4 yrs older than RI |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 24 minLowest 7% below RI |
25 minHighest 4% below RI |
24 min 5% below RI |
| Work from home | 9.9%±2.3Lowest RI: 13% |
14%±3.1Highest RI: 13% |
13%±1.2 RI: 13% |
| Smithfield and Cranston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #32 of 38 in RI | #8 of 38 in RI | #27 of 38 in RI |
| School district | Johnston | Smithfield | Achievement First Rhode Island · Cranston |
| High school in town | Johnston Senior High | Smithfield High School | Cranston High School West |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 10.3Lowest |
11.8 |
15.4Highest |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet |
RI average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.