Odessa vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Odessa
Scranton
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 5.6%, with Odessa being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Odessa has equivalent purchasing power to $79,412 in Scranton.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Odessa has the same purchasing power as $79,412 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $70,833 in Odessa.
Living in Odessa vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Odessa's housing index of 72 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $223,000 vs $195,000. The $28,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,824 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,150/mo in Odessa compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Odessa and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Odessa 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 100 in Odessa and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Odessa vs $408 in Scranton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Odessa 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 $73,500 in Odessa and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $86,471 and $55,000 respectively. Odessa residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,715/month to housing in Odessa vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Odessa, median rent of $1,150/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 8 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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