Rapid City vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Rapid City
Scranton
The Verdict
Scranton is 8.9% less expensive than Rapid City overall. A household earning $75,000 in Rapid City would need approximately $68,878 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 Rapid City has the same purchasing power as $68,878 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $81,667 in Rapid City.
Living in Rapid City vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Rapid City's housing index of 91 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $325,000 vs $195,000. The $130,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,448 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Rapid City compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 102 in Rapid City and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Rapid City 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 Rapid City and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Rapid City 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 107 in Rapid City and 90 in Scranton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $70,900 in Rapid City and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $72,347 and $55,000 respectively. Rapid City residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,654/month to housing in Rapid City vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Rapid City, median rent of $1,100/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 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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