Manchester vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Manchester
Scranton
The Verdict
Scranton is 31.1% less expensive than Manchester overall. A household earning $75,000 in Manchester would need approximately $57,203 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 Manchester has the same purchasing power as $57,203 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $98,333 in Manchester.
Living in Manchester vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Manchester's housing index of 140 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $350,000 vs $195,000. The $155,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,080 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,600/mo in Manchester compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $575.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 105 in Manchester and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Manchester vs $466/month in Scranton. Scranton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 114 in Manchester and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $456 in Manchester 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 112 in Manchester and 90 in Scranton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $65,018 in Manchester and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,100 and $55,000 respectively. Manchester residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,517/month to housing in Manchester vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Manchester, median rent of $1,600/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 75 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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