City Comparison

Lynchburg vs Scranton

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Lynchburg

Virginia
81
Very Affordable
$230,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$57,900
Median Income

Scranton

Pennsylvania
90
Below Average
$195,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$49,500
Median Income

The Verdict

10.0%

Lynchburg is 10.0% less expensive than Scranton overall. A household earning $75,000 in Lynchburg would need approximately $83,333 in Scranton to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
57
Lynchburg
65
Scranton
Groceries
94
Lynchburg
98
Scranton
Utilities
111
Lynchburg
102
Scranton
Transportation
88
Lynchburg
101
Scranton
Healthcare
105
Lynchburg
90
Scranton

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Lynchburg has the same purchasing power as $83,333 in Scranton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $67,500 in Lynchburg.

Living in Lynchburg vs Scranton

Housing Costs

Lynchburg's housing index of 57 is lower Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $230,000 vs $195,000. The $35,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,280 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Lynchburg compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Lynchburg and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Lynchburg 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 111 in Lynchburg and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $444 in Lynchburg vs $408 in Scranton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 105 in Lynchburg and 90 in Scranton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $57,900 in Lynchburg and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,481 and $55,000 respectively. Lynchburg residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,351/month to housing in Lynchburg vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Lynchburg, 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 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lynchburg is 10.0% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 90.
A $75,000 salary in Lynchburg has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $83,333 in Scranton, based on the cost of living difference.
Lynchburg's housing index is 57 with median homes at $230,000, while Scranton's is 65 with median homes at $195,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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