Lafayette vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lafayette
Scranton
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 0.0%, with Lafayette being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Lafayette has equivalent purchasing power to $75,000 in Scranton.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Lafayette has the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $75,000 in Lafayette.
Living in Lafayette vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Lafayette's housing index of 73 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $214,000 vs $195,000. The $19,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,236 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Lafayette compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Lafayette and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Lafayette 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 97 in Lafayette and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Lafayette vs $408 in Scranton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 80 in Lafayette 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 $61,900 in Lafayette and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,778 and $55,000 respectively. Lafayette residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,444/month to housing in Lafayette vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Lafayette, median rent of $1,100/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 10 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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