Modesto vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Modesto
Scranton
The Verdict
Scranton is 24.4% less expensive than Modesto overall. A household earning $75,000 in Modesto would need approximately $60,268 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 Modesto has the same purchasing power as $60,268 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $93,333 in Modesto.
Living in Modesto vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Modesto's housing index of 121 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $195,000. The $185,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,024 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Modesto compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $375.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Modesto and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Modesto 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 Modesto and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Modesto vs $408 in Scranton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Modesto 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 $55,138 in Modesto and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,230 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 $1,287/month to housing in Modesto vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Modesto, median rent of $1,400/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 56 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases