City Comparison

Cheyenne vs Scranton

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Cheyenne

Wyoming
95
Below Average
$280,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$57,834
Median Income

Scranton

Pennsylvania
90
Below Average
$195,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$49,500
Median Income

The Verdict

5.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 5.6%, with Scranton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Cheyenne has equivalent purchasing power to $71,053 in Scranton.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
85
Cheyenne
65
Scranton
Groceries
98
Cheyenne
98
Scranton
Utilities
90
Cheyenne
102
Scranton
Transportation
98
Cheyenne
101
Scranton
Healthcare
100
Cheyenne
90
Scranton

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Cheyenne has the same purchasing power as $71,053 in Scranton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $79,167 in Cheyenne.

Living in Cheyenne vs Scranton

Housing Costs

Cheyenne's housing index of 85 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $280,000 vs $195,000. The $85,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,520 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Cheyenne compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Cheyenne and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Cheyenne 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 90 in Cheyenne and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Cheyenne 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 100 in Cheyenne and 90 in Scranton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $57,834 in Cheyenne and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,878 and $55,000 respectively. Cheyenne residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,349/month to housing in Cheyenne vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Cheyenne, median rent of $1,100/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 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Scranton is 5.6% more affordable overall with an index of 90 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Cheyenne has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $71,053 in Scranton, based on the cost of living difference.
Cheyenne's housing index is 85 with median homes at $280,000, while Scranton's is 65 with median homes at $195,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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