Arlington vs Scranton

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $70,313 in Scranton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $80,000 in Arlington.

Living in Arlington vs Scranton

Housing Costs

Arlington's housing index of 86 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: $1,300/mo in Arlington compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Arlington and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Arlington 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 99 in Arlington and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Arlington vs $408 in Scranton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 100 in Arlington and 90 in Scranton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $60,138 in Arlington and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,644 and $55,000 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,403/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Arlington, median rent of $1,300/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 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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