Erie vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Erie
Scranton
The Verdict
Living in Erie costs 10.0% less than Scranton. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Erie, you would need $83,333 in Scranton.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Erie has the same purchasing power as $83,333 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $67,500 in Erie.
Living in Erie vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Erie's housing index of 55 is lower Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $165,000 vs $195,000. The $30,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,956 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $925/mo in Erie compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Erie and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Erie 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 109 in Erie and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Erie vs $408 in Scranton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 89 in Erie 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 $43,400 in Erie and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $53,580 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 $1,013/month to housing in Erie vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Erie, median rent of $925/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 Transportation, where the gap is 12 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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