City Comparison

Greensboro vs Scranton

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Greensboro

North Carolina
84
Very Affordable
$230,000
Median Home
$1,050/mo
Median Rent
$49,500
Median Income

Scranton

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

The Verdict

6.7%

Living in Greensboro costs 6.7% less than Scranton. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Greensboro, you would need $80,357 in Scranton.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
62
Greensboro
65
Scranton
Groceries
96
Greensboro
98
Scranton
Utilities
98
Greensboro
102
Scranton
Transportation
92
Greensboro
101
Scranton
Healthcare
101
Greensboro
90
Scranton

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Greensboro has the same purchasing power as $80,357 in Scranton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $70,000 in Greensboro.

Living in Greensboro vs Scranton

Housing Costs

Greensboro's housing index of 62 is lower Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $230,000 vs $195,000. The $35,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,280 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Greensboro compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Greensboro and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Greensboro 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 98 in Greensboro and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Greensboro vs $408 in Scranton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 101 in Greensboro and 90 in Scranton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $49,500 in Greensboro and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,929 and $55,000 respectively. Greensboro residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,155/month to housing in Greensboro vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Greensboro, median rent of $1,050/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 Healthcare, where the gap is 11 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Greensboro is 6.7% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 90.
A $75,000 salary in Greensboro has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $80,357 in Scranton, based on the cost of living difference.
Greensboro's housing index is 62 with median homes at $230,000, while Scranton's is 65 with median homes at $195,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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