Direct Answer
Scranton, PA has a CostOfCity index of 86, which is 14% below the national baseline. Average modeled rent is $1,048/month and the single-adult living cost estimate is $3,400/month.
How to Use This City Page
Cost of Living in Scranton: The Full Picture
What does it cost to live in Scranton, PA? The honest answer depends on your lifestyle, but the data gives clear guideposts. With a budget-friendly market where lower overhead attracts entrepreneurs priced out of bigger northeastern cities and a median household income of $38K, this northeastern city offers a specific economic profile. We cover 62 cost categories, each calibrated for Scranton's local conditions.
Scranton has a budget-friendly market where lower overhead attracts entrepreneurs priced out of bigger northeastern cities
The housing market features one of America's more affordable housing markets, where homeownership is within reach for most working families
Four distinct seasons mean you're paying for both heating and cooling, plus the freeze-thaw cycle does a number on foundations and pipes.. The lifestyle here is characterized by World-class museums, restaurants, and universities within a short commute — if you don't mind the price of admission..
Scranton is genuinely affordable by American standards. A cost index of 86 translates to real, material savings on housing, services, and daily expenses compared to most metro areas.
💰 Purchasing Power in Scranton
Purchasing power adjusted to national average baseline. In Scranton, your dollar buys 16% more than the national average.
🔺 Where Scranton Costs More
🔽 Where Scranton Costs Less
💰 Salary Landscape
vs national average · higher = better
Monthly Living Expenses in Scranton
What it actually costs to live in Scranton each month — from tight budgets to comfortable lifestyles.
Estimates include housing, food, transportation, utilities, insurance, and discretionary spending. Based on Scranton's cost index of 86 applied to national spending surveys.
🏘️ Neighborhood Cost Variation
Within Scranton, costs can vary by 25-40% depending on the neighborhood. Downtown and waterfront areas typically command the highest premiums, while suburbs provide genuine savings, often 15-20% below the metro average.
Scranton vs U.S. Average Cost of Living
Category-by-category affordability grades — based on deviation from the national average.
🏠 Home Services in Scranton
What contractors charge for the most common repairs, installations, and remodels
Roof Replacement
-24%HVAC Installation
-1%Plumbing Services
-6%Electrical Work
-7%Kitchen Remodel
-9%Bathroom Remodel
-26%House Painting
-5%Flooring Installation
-7%Landscaping
-31%Fence Installation
-11%Window Replacement
+15%Solar Panel Installation
-17%Water Heater Replacement
+4%Deck Building
+12%Pool Installation
0%Tree Removal
-34%Garage Door Repair
-3%💼 Business Startup Costs in Scranton
Full startup cost breakdowns — from lease deposits to working capital
Start a Restaurant
-27%Start a Coffee Shop
-7%Start a Food Truck
+3%Start a Gym
-11%Start a Daycare
-31%Start a Hair Salon
-31%Start a Laundromat
-18%Start a Bakery
-36%Start a Bar
-29%Start a Cleaning Business
-22%Start an Airbnb
-7%Start a Trucking Business
-25%📊 Cost of Living in Scranton
Monthly expenses for housing, food, transportation, and everyday necessities
Cost of Living
-15%Rent Prices
-26%Grocery Costs
-5%Utility Costs
0%Transportation Costs
-32%Childcare Costs
-36%Gym Membership
-38%🛡️ Insurance in Scranton
Annual and monthly premium estimates for major insurance categories
Car Insurance
-1%Home Insurance
-28%Health Insurance
+10%Business Insurance
+6%Life Insurance
-14%Renters Insurance
-7%Pet Insurance
-11%Dental Insurance
-5%Motorcycle Insurance
+24%⚖️ Legal Services in Scranton
Attorney fees, court costs, and total legal service expenses
Personal Injury Lawyer
+23%Divorce Lawyer
-27%DUI Lawyer
+2%Immigration Lawyer
+10%Estate Planning Lawyer
-16%Workers Comp Lawyer
+3%Bankruptcy Lawyer
-12%💰 Salaries & Jobs in Scranton
Annual compensation by experience level, role, and specialization
Software Developer Salary
-14%Registered Nurse Salary
-8%Teacher Salary
+4%Electrician Salary
-8%Plumber Salary
+2%Accountant Salary
0%Physical Therapist Salary
+3%Police Officer Salary
-15%Dentist Salary
-13%Real Estate Agent Salary
-33%How Much Income Do You Need in Scranton?
✅ Best For
- First-time business owners
- Retirees on fixed incomes
- Remote workers keeping coastal salaries
- Anyone building an emergency fund
⚠️ Not Ideal For
- Workers in highly specialized tech roles
- Those seeking dense urban amenities
Research Scranton's neighborhoods carefully — costs can vary by 20-40% within the metro area. The most popular areas are affordable enough that location flexibility is a real advantage.
CostOfCity Value Index
The CostOfCity Value Index combines cost-of-living data with median income, savings potential, and cost growth trends to produce a single score. Higher = better value for your money. Updated quarterly.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Scranton
What is the median household income in Scranton?
The median household income in Scranton is approximately $38,000 per year. Adjusted for local cost of living (index: 86), this goes further than in many US cities.
Is Scranton a good place to start a business?
Scranton's business environment is shaped by PA's regulatory framework and local commercial real estate costs. Below-average operating costs give businesses more runway to reach profitability. Check our business startup cost data for specific figures.
Is Scranton, PA expensive to live in?
Scranton's cost of living index is 86, which is 14% below the national average of 100. Scranton is one of the more affordable US cities.
Explore Scranton in Depth
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