Compare towns
Johnston vs Smithfield vs Windham vs Cranston
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
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).
Windham has the most affordable homes ($210k median).
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 | Windham | Cranston |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 29,835 |
22,233Lowest |
23,961 |
83,250Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.8%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+3.2%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
— | +3.2%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 44.5±2.5Highest 14% above U.S. |
41.8±2.6 7% above U.S. |
33.7±1.9Lowest 13% below U.S. |
39.6±0.9 about the U.S. 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 U.S.: 22% |
16.9%±2.4Lowest U.S.: 22% |
20.1%±2.4Highest U.S.: 22% |
19.6%±1.4 U.S.: 22% |
| Windham and Cranston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 22.1%±2.6Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
21.1%±2.1 U.S.: 17.2% |
14.3%±1.9Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
16.8%±1.1 U.S.: 17.2% |
| 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% U.S.: 35.7% |
40%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
22.7%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
36.4% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.1%±1.6Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
16.7%±0.9Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
15.2%±1.8 U.S.: 6.4% |
6.3%±0.8 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Smithfield and Windham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $91,866±$6k 14% above U.S. |
$102,077±$8kHighest 26% above U.S. |
$55,736±$5kLowest 31% below U.S. |
$90,206±$4k 12% above U.S. |
| 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±$13k 7% above U.S. |
$446,400±$12kHighest 34% above U.S. |
$209,800±$9kLowest 37% below U.S. |
$378,300±$7k 14% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,275±$132 10% below U.S. |
$1,016±$241Lowest 28% below U.S. |
$1,107±$69 22% below U.S. |
$1,375±$59Highest about the U.S. 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 48% above U.S. |
$5,207Highest 67% above U.S. |
$4,633 49% above U.S. |
$5,103 64% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 38.1%±8.7Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
57.1%±17.7Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
57.1%±8.1Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
47.3%±6 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Below poverty line | 7.9% U.S.: 12.5% |
6.2%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
20.7%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
10.2% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 75.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
81.6%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
47.4%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
67.6% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1968 12 yrs older than U.S. |
1976Highest 4 yrs older than U.S. |
1956Lowest 24 yrs older than U.S. |
1958 22 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 24 minLowest 11% below U.S. |
25 minHighest 7% below U.S. |
24 min 8% below U.S. |
24 min 8% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 9.9%±2.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
14%±3.1Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
6.1%±1.7Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
13%±1.2 U.S.: 15.1% |
| 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 | #143 of 149 in CT | #27 of 38 in RI |
| School district | Johnston | Smithfield | Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS | Achievement First Rhode Island · Cranston |
| High school in town | Johnston Senior High | Smithfield High School | Windham High School | Cranston High School West |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 10.3 |
11.8 |
9.8Lowest |
15.4Highest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet | None yet |
U.S. 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.