Boise vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Boise
Scranton
The Verdict
Scranton is 17.8% less expensive than Boise overall. A household earning $75,000 in Boise would need approximately $63,679 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 Boise has the same purchasing power as $63,679 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $88,333 in Boise.
Living in Boise vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Boise's housing index of 118 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $420,000 vs $195,000. The $225,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,628 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Boise compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $375.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Boise and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Boise 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 89 in Boise and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Boise 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 98 in Boise 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 $60,818 in Boise and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,375 and $55,000 respectively. Boise residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,419/month to housing in Boise vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Boise, median rent of $1,400/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 53 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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