Rio Rancho vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Rio Rancho
Scranton
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 5.6%, with Scranton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Rio Rancho has equivalent purchasing power to $71,053 in Scranton.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Rio Rancho has the same purchasing power as $71,053 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $79,167 in Rio Rancho.
Living in Rio Rancho vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Rio Rancho's housing index of 91 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $337,000 vs $195,000. The $142,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,228 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Rio Rancho compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $375.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Rio Rancho and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Rio Rancho 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 84 in Rio Rancho and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $336 in Rio Rancho 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 99 in Rio Rancho and 90 in Scranton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $85,800 in Rio Rancho and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,316 and $55,000 respectively. Rio Rancho residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,002/month to housing in Rio Rancho vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Rio Rancho, median rent of $1,400/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
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases