Manhattan vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Manhattan
Scranton
The Verdict
Scranton is 161.1% less expensive than Manhattan overall. A household earning $75,000 in Manhattan would need approximately $28,723 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 Manhattan has the same purchasing power as $28,723 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $195,833 in Manhattan.
Living in Manhattan vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Manhattan's housing index of 421 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $1.1M vs $195,000. The $955,000 difference in home prices means roughly $62,076 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $4,200/mo in Manhattan compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $3,175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 115 in Manhattan and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $546/month in Manhattan vs $466/month in Scranton. Scranton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $960/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 142 in Manhattan and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $568 in Manhattan 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 Manhattan 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 $93,651 in Manhattan and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $39,851 and $55,000 respectively. Scranton residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,185/month to housing in Manhattan vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Manhattan, median rent of $4,200/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 356 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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