Barcelona vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Barcelona
Scranton
The Verdict
Barcelona is 13.3% less expensive than Scranton overall. A household earning $75,000 in Barcelona would need approximately $86,538 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 Barcelona has the same purchasing power as $86,538 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $65,000 in Barcelona.
Living in Barcelona vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Barcelona's housing index of 95 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $365,000 vs $195,000. The $170,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,052 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Barcelona compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $350.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 72 in Barcelona and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $342/month in Barcelona vs $466/month in Scranton. Barcelona offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1488/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 82 in Barcelona and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $328 in Barcelona vs $408 in Scranton. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 68 in Barcelona and 90 in Scranton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $37,500 in Barcelona and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $48,077 and $55,000 respectively. Scranton residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $875/month to housing in Barcelona vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Barcelona, median rent of $1,375/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 30 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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