Mobile vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Mobile
Scranton
The Verdict
Mobile is 6.7% less expensive than Scranton overall. A household earning $75,000 in Mobile would need approximately $80,357 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 Mobile has the same purchasing power as $80,357 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $70,000 in Mobile.
Living in Mobile vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Mobile's housing index of 60 is lower Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $193,000 vs $195,000. The $2,000 difference in home prices means roughly $132 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Mobile compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Mobile and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Mobile 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 108 in Mobile and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Mobile vs $408 in Scranton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Mobile and 90 in Scranton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $53,600 in Mobile and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,810 and $55,000 respectively. Mobile residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,251/month to housing in Mobile vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Mobile, median rent of $975/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 Transportation, where the gap is 11 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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