Louisville vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Louisville
Scranton
The Verdict
Scranton is 1.1% less expensive than Louisville overall. A household earning $75,000 in Louisville would need approximately $74,176 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 Louisville has the same purchasing power as $74,176 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $75,833 in Louisville.
Living in Louisville vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Louisville's housing index of 77 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $210,000 vs $195,000. The $15,000 difference in home prices means roughly $972 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Louisville compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Louisville and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Louisville 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 91 in Louisville and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Louisville 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 93 in Louisville 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 $52,238 in Louisville and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,404 and $55,000 respectively. Louisville residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,219/month to housing in Louisville vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Louisville, 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 Housing, where the gap is 12 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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