Compare towns
Johnston vs Thompson 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 shortest commute (24 min average).
Thompson has the oldest population (median age 54.1).
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 | Thompson | Cranston |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 29,835 |
9,337Lowest |
83,250Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.8%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
— | +3.2%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 44.5±2.5 14% above U.S. |
54.1±2.2Highest 39% above U.S. |
39.6±0.9Lowest about the U.S. average |
| Kids under 18 | 17.5%±2.4 U.S.: 22% |
11.4%±2.8Lowest U.S.: 22% |
19.6%±1.4Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Cranston and Johnston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 22.1%±2.6 U.S.: 17.2% |
24.4%±4.3Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
16.8%±1.1Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Thompson and Johnston 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% |
21.9%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
36.4%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.1%±1.6 U.S.: 6.4% |
2.9%±1.3Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
6.3%±0.8Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Cranston and Johnston 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. |
$93,629±$18kHighest 16% above U.S. |
$90,206±$4kLowest 12% above U.S. |
| Thompson 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. |
$291,900±$24kLowest 12% below U.S. |
$378,300±$7kHighest 14% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,275±$132 10% below U.S. |
$1,012±$344Lowest 28% 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 | $4,614 48% above U.S. |
$3,822Lowest 23% above U.S. |
$5,103Highest 64% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 38.1%±8.7Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
54%±18.7Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
47.3%±6 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Thompson and Cranston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 7.9% U.S.: 12.5% |
5.9%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
10.2%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 75.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
84.3%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
67.6%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1968Highest 12 yrs older than U.S. |
1963 17 yrs older than U.S. |
1958Lowest 22 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 24 minLowest 11% below U.S. |
32 minHighest 20% above U.S. |
24 min 8% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 9.9%±2.3Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
13.1%±4.4Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
13%±1.2 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Thompson 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 | #130 of 149 in CT | #27 of 38 in RI |
| School district | Johnston | Thompson School District | Achievement First Rhode Island · Cranston |
| High school in town | Johnston Senior High | Tourtellotte Memorial High School | Cranston High School West |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 10.3 |
7.9Lowest |
15.4Highest |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.