Rochester vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Rochester
Scranton
The Verdict
Scranton is 4.4% less expensive than Rochester overall. A household earning $75,000 in Rochester would need approximately $71,809 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 Rochester has the same purchasing power as $71,809 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $78,333 in Rochester.
Living in Rochester vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Rochester's housing index of 95 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $345,000 vs $195,000. The $150,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,756 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,275/mo in Rochester compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $250.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 103 in Rochester and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Rochester 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 102 in Rochester and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Rochester vs $408 in Scranton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Rochester and 90 in Scranton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $91,500 in Rochester and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $97,340 and $55,000 respectively. Rochester residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,135/month to housing in Rochester vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Rochester, median rent of $1,275/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 30 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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