City Comparison

Roswell vs Scranton

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Roswell

Georgia
113
Above Average
$647,000
Median Home
$1,700/mo
Median Rent
$108,800
Median Income

Scranton

Pennsylvania
90
Below Average
$195,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$49,500
Median Income

The Verdict

25.6%

Living in Scranton costs 25.6% less than Roswell. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Roswell, you would need $59,735 in Scranton.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
187
Roswell
65
Scranton
Groceries
101
Roswell
98
Scranton
Utilities
98
Roswell
102
Scranton
Transportation
110
Roswell
101
Scranton
Healthcare
103
Roswell
90
Scranton

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Roswell has the same purchasing power as $59,735 in Scranton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $94,167 in Roswell.

Living in Roswell vs Scranton

Housing Costs

Roswell's housing index of 187 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $647,000 vs $195,000. The $452,000 difference in home prices means roughly $29,376 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,700/mo in Roswell compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $675.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Roswell and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Roswell 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 98 in Roswell and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Roswell vs $408 in Scranton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 103 in Roswell and 90 in Scranton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $108,800 in Roswell and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $96,283 and $55,000 respectively. Roswell residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,539/month to housing in Roswell vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Roswell, 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 122 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Scranton is 25.6% more affordable overall with an index of 90 vs 113.
A $75,000 salary in Roswell has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $59,735 in Scranton, based on the cost of living difference.
Roswell's housing index is 187 with median homes at $647,000, while Scranton's is 65 with median homes at $195,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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