Lake Charles vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lake Charles
Scranton
The Verdict
Lake Charles is 6.7% less expensive than Scranton overall. A household earning $75,000 in Lake Charles would need approximately $80,357 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 Lake Charles has the same purchasing power as $80,357 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $70,000 in Lake Charles.
Living in Lake Charles vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Lake Charles's housing index of 69 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $149,000 vs $195,000. The $46,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,988 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $925/mo in Lake Charles compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Lake Charles and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Lake Charles 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 71 in Lake Charles and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $284 in Lake Charles 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 102 in Lake Charles and 90 in Scranton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $59,200 in Lake Charles and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $70,476 and $55,000 respectively. Lake Charles residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,381/month to housing in Lake Charles vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Lake Charles, median rent of $925/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 Utilities, where the gap is 31 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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