Boulder vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Boulder
Scranton
The Verdict
Living in Scranton costs 64.4% less than Boulder. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Boulder, you would need $45,608 in Scranton.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Boulder has the same purchasing power as $45,608 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $123,333 in Boulder.
Living in Boulder vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Boulder's housing index of 230 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $750,000 vs $195,000. The $555,000 difference in home prices means roughly $36,072 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,300/mo in Boulder compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $1,275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 107 in Boulder and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $508/month in Boulder vs $466/month in Scranton. Scranton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $504/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Boulder and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Boulder vs $408 in Scranton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Boulder and 90 in Scranton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $73,123 in Boulder and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,407 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 $1,706/month to housing in Boulder vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Boulder, median rent of $2,300/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 165 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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