Albuquerque vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Albuquerque
Scranton
The Verdict
Scranton is 2.2% less expensive than Albuquerque overall. A household earning $75,000 in Albuquerque would need approximately $73,370 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 Albuquerque has the same purchasing power as $73,370 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $76,667 in Albuquerque.
Living in Albuquerque vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Albuquerque's housing index of 80 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $195,000. The $65,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,224 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Albuquerque compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Albuquerque and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Albuquerque vs $466/month in Scranton. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Albuquerque and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Albuquerque vs $408 in Scranton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 94 in Albuquerque 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 $52,911 in Albuquerque and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,512 and $55,000 respectively. Albuquerque residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,235/month to housing in Albuquerque vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Albuquerque, median rent of $1,100/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 Housing, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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