Hillsboro vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hillsboro
Scranton
The Verdict
Scranton is 42.2% less expensive than Hillsboro overall. A household earning $75,000 in Hillsboro would need approximately $52,734 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 Hillsboro has the same purchasing power as $52,734 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $106,667 in Hillsboro.
Living in Hillsboro vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Hillsboro's housing index of 175 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $533,000 vs $195,000. The $338,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,972 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,725/mo in Hillsboro compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $700.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Hillsboro and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Hillsboro vs $466/month in Scranton. Scranton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $564/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in Hillsboro and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Hillsboro vs $408 in Scranton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 103 in Hillsboro and 90 in Scranton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $106,700 in Hillsboro and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,359 and $55,000 respectively. Hillsboro residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,490/month to housing in Hillsboro vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Hillsboro, median rent of $1,725/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 110 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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