Salary Needed to Live in Scranton as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $52,510/year to live comfortably in Scranton, PA, including 10% savings.
Direct Answer
A single person needs about $52,510/year to live comfortably in Scranton, PA. The bare-minimum salary is $45,217/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 10% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,063.
The minimum scenario leaves about $2,713/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $4,376/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$52,510
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$45,217
$3,768/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$2,713
25% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Scranton
| Expense | Scranton | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1BR Rent | $734 | $1,351 | -46% |
| Groceries | $234 | $207 | +13% |
| Utilities | $151 | $169 | -11% |
| Transportation | $203 | $316 | -36% |
| Car Insurance | $174 | $229 | -24% |
| Health Insurance | $662 | $690 | -4% |
| Internet | $56 | $65 | -14% |
| Phone | $73 | $85 | -14% |
| Dining & Social | $258 | $300 | -14% |
| Entertainment | $103 | $120 | -14% |
| Personal Care | $65 | $75 | -13% |
| Total Monthly | $2,713 | $3,607 | -25% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$2,713
Target savings (10%):$350/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,063
Effective tax rate:28%
Gross annual salary needed:$52,510
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$734
Studio/1BR rent is 27% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
28%
Estimated federal plus PA state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
10%
$350/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
86/100
Scranton is below the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby northeast Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep studio/1br housing near $734/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $555/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone.
- Use $45,217/year as the survival floor and $52,510/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Scranton
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in Scranton?
A single person needs approximately $52,510/year ($4,376/month gross) to live comfortably in Scranton with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Scranton?
A studio/1br in Scranton costs approximately $734/month, which is the largest single expense at 27% of the total budget.
Is Scranton affordable for a single person?
Yes, Scranton is 25% more affordable than the national average for a single person.