City Comparison

Pearland vs Scranton

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Pearland

Texas
100
Average
$372,000
Median Home
$1,800/mo
Median Rent
$118,800
Median Income

Scranton

Pennsylvania
90
Below Average
$195,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$49,500
Median Income

The Verdict

11.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 11.1%, with Scranton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Pearland has equivalent purchasing power to $67,500 in Scranton.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
99
Pearland
65
Scranton
Groceries
97
Pearland
98
Scranton
Utilities
100
Pearland
102
Scranton
Transportation
91
Pearland
101
Scranton
Healthcare
105
Pearland
90
Scranton

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Pearland has the same purchasing power as $67,500 in Scranton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $83,333 in Pearland.

Living in Pearland vs Scranton

Housing Costs

Pearland's housing index of 99 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $372,000 vs $195,000. The $177,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,508 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Pearland compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $775.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Pearland and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Pearland 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 Pearland and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Pearland vs $408 in Scranton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 105 in Pearland and 90 in Scranton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $118,800 in Pearland and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $118,800 and $55,000 respectively. Pearland residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,772/month to housing in Pearland vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Pearland, median rent of $1,800/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 34 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Scranton is 11.1% more affordable overall with an index of 90 vs 100.
A $75,000 salary in Pearland has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $67,500 in Scranton, based on the cost of living difference.
Pearland's housing index is 99 with median homes at $372,000, while Scranton's is 65 with median homes at $195,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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