North Charleston vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
North Charleston
Scranton
The Verdict
Scranton is 13.3% less expensive than North Charleston overall. A household earning $75,000 in North Charleston would need approximately $66,176 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 North Charleston has the same purchasing power as $66,176 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $85,000 in North Charleston.
Living in North Charleston vs Scranton
Housing Costs
North Charleston's housing index of 102 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $347,000 vs $195,000. The $152,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,876 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,525/mo in North Charleston compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $500.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in North Charleston and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in North Charleston 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 120 in North Charleston and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $480 in North Charleston 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 86 in North Charleston and 90 in Scranton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $61,400 in North Charleston and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,196 and $55,000 respectively. North Charleston residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,433/month to housing in North Charleston vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In North Charleston, median rent of $1,525/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 37 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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