Jersey City vs Scranton

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Jersey City has the same purchasing power as $41,667 in Scranton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $135,000 in Jersey City.

Living in Jersey City vs Scranton

Housing Costs

Jersey City's housing index of 249 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $540,000 vs $195,000. The $345,000 difference in home prices means roughly $22,428 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,600/mo in Jersey City compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $1,575.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 105 in Jersey City and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Jersey City vs $466/month in Scranton. Scranton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 128 in Jersey City and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $512 in Jersey City 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 106 in Jersey City and 90 in Scranton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $80,820 in Jersey City and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,889 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 $1,886/month to housing in Jersey City vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Jersey City, median rent of $2,600/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 184 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases