Peoria vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Peoria
Scranton
The Verdict
Living in Scranton costs 25.6% less than Peoria. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Peoria, you would need $59,735 in Scranton.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Peoria has the same purchasing power as $59,735 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $94,167 in Peoria.
Living in Peoria vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Peoria's housing index of 149 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: $1,725/mo in Peoria compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $700.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Peoria and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Peoria 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 106 in Peoria and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $424 in Peoria vs $408 in Scranton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 86 in Peoria 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 $97,300 in Peoria and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $86,106 and $55,000 respectively. Peoria residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,270/month to housing in Peoria vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Peoria, median rent of $1,725/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 84 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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