Little Rock vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Little Rock
Scranton
The Verdict
Little Rock is 6.7% less expensive than Scranton overall. A household earning $75,000 in Little Rock 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 Little Rock has the same purchasing power as $80,357 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $70,000 in Little Rock.
Living in Little Rock vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Little Rock's housing index of 62 is lower Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $195,000. The $25,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,620 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Little Rock compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 94 in Little Rock and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Little Rock 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 88 in Little Rock and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $352 in Little Rock 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 90 in Little Rock and 90 in Scranton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $47,638 in Little Rock and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,712 and $55,000 respectively. Little Rock residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,112/month to housing in Little Rock vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Little Rock, median rent of $950/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 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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