Bend vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Bend
Scranton
The Verdict
Scranton is 46.7% less expensive than Bend overall. A household earning $75,000 in Bend would need approximately $51,136 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 Bend has the same purchasing power as $51,136 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $110,000 in Bend.
Living in Bend vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Bend's housing index of 182 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $580,000 vs $195,000. The $385,000 difference in home prices means roughly $25,020 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,900/mo in Bend compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $875.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Bend and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Bend vs $466/month in Scranton. Scranton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Bend and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Bend vs $408 in Scranton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Bend and 90 in Scranton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $68,234 in Bend and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $51,692 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 $1,592/month to housing in Bend vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Bend, median rent of $1,900/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 117 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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