Provo vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Provo
Scranton
The Verdict
Scranton is 15.6% less expensive than Provo overall. A household earning $75,000 in Provo would need approximately $64,904 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 Provo has the same purchasing power as $64,904 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $86,667 in Provo.
Living in Provo vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Provo's housing index of 112 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $195,000. The $185,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,024 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in Provo compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Provo and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Provo 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 87 in Provo and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Provo 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 97 in Provo 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 $51,048 in Provo and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,085 and $55,000 respectively. Scranton residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,191/month to housing in Provo vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Provo, median rent of $1,300/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 47 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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