Canton vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Canton
Scranton
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 12.2%, with Canton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Canton has equivalent purchasing power to $85,443 in Scranton.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Canton has the same purchasing power as $85,443 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $65,833 in Canton.
Living in Canton vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Canton's housing index of 48 is lower Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $120,000 vs $195,000. The $75,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,872 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Canton compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $250.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Canton and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Canton vs $466/month in Scranton. Scranton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 101 in Canton and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $404 in Canton vs $408 in Scranton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 103 in Canton and 90 in Scranton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $41,500 in Canton and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $52,532 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 $968/month to housing in Canton vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Canton, median rent of $775/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 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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