Alexandria vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Alexandria
Scranton
The Verdict
Living in Scranton costs 61.1% less than Alexandria. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Alexandria, you would need $46,552 in Scranton.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Alexandria has the same purchasing power as $46,552 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $120,833 in Alexandria.
Living in Alexandria vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Alexandria's housing index of 201 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $590,000 vs $195,000. The $395,000 difference in home prices means roughly $25,680 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,125/mo in Alexandria compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $1,100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 113 in Alexandria and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $537/month in Alexandria vs $466/month in Scranton. Scranton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $852/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Alexandria and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Alexandria vs $408 in Scranton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Alexandria and 90 in Scranton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $119,700 in Alexandria and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,552 and $55,000 respectively. Alexandria residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,793/month to housing in Alexandria vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Alexandria, median rent of $2,125/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 136 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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