Charlotte vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Charlotte
Scranton
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 11.1%, with Scranton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Charlotte has equivalent purchasing power to $67,500 in Scranton.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Charlotte has the same purchasing power as $67,500 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $83,333 in Charlotte.
Living in Charlotte vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Charlotte's housing index of 99 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $330,000 vs $195,000. The $135,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,772 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Charlotte compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $475.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Charlotte and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Charlotte 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 95 in Charlotte and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Charlotte vs $408 in Scranton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 105 in Charlotte and 90 in Scranton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $62,308 in Charlotte and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,308 and $55,000 respectively. Charlotte residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,454/month to housing in Charlotte vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Charlotte, median rent of $1,500/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 34 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases