Abilene vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Abilene
Scranton
The Verdict
Abilene is 11.1% less expensive than Scranton overall. A household earning $75,000 in Abilene would need approximately $84,375 in Scranton to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Abilene has the same purchasing power as $84,375 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $66,667 in Abilene.
Living in Abilene vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Abilene's housing index of 58 is lower Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $179,000 vs $195,000. The $16,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,044 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Abilene compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 91 in Abilene and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Abilene vs $466/month in Scranton. Abilene offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $408/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Abilene and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Abilene vs $408 in Scranton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Abilene and 90 in Scranton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $62,600 in Abilene and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $78,250 and $55,000 respectively. Abilene residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,461/month to housing in Abilene vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Abilene, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Scranton, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 12 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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