Plano vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Plano
Scranton
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 21.1%, with Scranton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Plano has equivalent purchasing power to $61,927 in Scranton.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Plano has the same purchasing power as $61,927 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $90,833 in Plano.
Living in Plano vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Plano's housing index of 123 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $400,000 vs $195,000. The $205,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,320 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,700/mo in Plano compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $675.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Plano and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Plano 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 99 in Plano and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Plano vs $408 in Scranton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Plano and 90 in Scranton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $96,348 in Plano and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,393 and $55,000 respectively. Plano residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,248/month to housing in Plano vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Plano, median rent of $1,700/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 58 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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