Midland vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Midland
Scranton
The Verdict
Scranton is 2.2% less expensive than Midland overall. A household earning $75,000 in Midland would need approximately $73,370 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 Midland has the same purchasing power as $73,370 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $76,667 in Midland.
Living in Midland vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Midland's housing index of 84 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $269,000 vs $195,000. The $74,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,812 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,450/mo in Midland compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $425.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Midland and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Midland 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 99 in Midland and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Midland vs $408 in Scranton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 110 in Midland and 90 in Scranton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $89,600 in Midland and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $97,391 and $55,000 respectively. Midland residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,091/month to housing in Midland vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Midland, median rent of $1,450/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 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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