Fort Worth vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Worth
Scranton
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 5.6%, with Scranton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fort Worth has equivalent purchasing power to $71,053 in Scranton.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Fort Worth has the same purchasing power as $71,053 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $79,167 in Fort Worth.
Living in Fort Worth vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Fort Worth's housing index of 87 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $270,000 vs $195,000. The $75,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,872 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Fort Worth compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $375.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Fort Worth and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Fort Worth 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 99 in Fort Worth and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Fort Worth vs $408 in Scranton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Fort Worth 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 $62,187 in Fort Worth and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,460 and $55,000 respectively. Fort Worth residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,451/month to housing in Fort Worth vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Fort Worth, median rent of $1,400/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 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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