Olympia vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Olympia
Scranton
The Verdict
Scranton is 24.4% less expensive than Olympia overall. A household earning $75,000 in Olympia 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 Olympia has the same purchasing power as $60,268 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $93,333 in Olympia.
Living in Olympia vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Olympia's housing index of 131 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $495,000 vs $195,000. The $300,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,500 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,600/mo in Olympia compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $575.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 105 in Olympia and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Olympia vs $466/month in Scranton. Scranton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 91 in Olympia and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Olympia 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 124 in Olympia and 90 in Scranton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 34-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $81,300 in Olympia and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $72,589 and $55,000 respectively. Olympia residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,897/month to housing in Olympia vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Olympia, median rent of $1,600/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 Housing, where the gap is 66 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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