Elgin vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Elgin
Scranton
The Verdict
Scranton is 5.6% less expensive than Elgin overall. A household earning $75,000 in Elgin would need approximately $71,053 in Scranton to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Elgin has the same purchasing power as $71,053 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $79,167 in Elgin.
Living in Elgin vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Elgin's housing index of 89 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $279,000 vs $195,000. The $84,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,460 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Elgin compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $350.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Elgin and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Elgin 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 89 in Elgin and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Elgin 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 105 in Elgin 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 $90,300 in Elgin and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $95,053 and $55,000 respectively. Elgin residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,107/month to housing in Elgin vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Elgin, median rent of $1,375/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 24 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases