Orem vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Orem
Scranton
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 30.0%, with Scranton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Orem has equivalent purchasing power to $57,692 in Scranton.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Orem has the same purchasing power as $57,692 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $97,500 in Orem.
Living in Orem vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Orem's housing index of 147 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $528,000 vs $195,000. The $333,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,648 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Orem compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $375.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Orem and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Orem 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 92 in Orem and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Orem vs $408 in Scranton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 95 in Orem 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 $86,000 in Orem and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,504 and $55,000 respectively. Orem residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,007/month to housing in Orem vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Orem, median rent of $1,400/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 82 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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