Dublin vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dublin
Scranton
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 15.6%, with Scranton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Dublin has equivalent purchasing power to $64,904 in Scranton.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Dublin has the same purchasing power as $64,904 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $86,667 in Dublin.
Living in Dublin vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Dublin's housing index of 128 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $470,000 vs $195,000. The $275,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,880 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,125/mo in Dublin compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $1,100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 95 in Dublin and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Dublin 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 110 in Dublin and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $440 in Dublin vs $408 in Scranton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 82 in Dublin 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 $56,000 in Dublin and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $53,846 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 $1,307/month to housing in Dublin vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Dublin, median rent of $2,125/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 63 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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