City Comparison

Scranton vs Shreveport

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Scranton

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

Shreveport

Louisiana
84
Very Affordable
$170,000
Median Home
$900/mo
Median Rent
$43,200
Median Income

The Verdict

7.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 7.1%, with Shreveport being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Scranton has equivalent purchasing power to $70,000 in Shreveport.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
65
Scranton
54
Shreveport
Groceries
98
Scranton
98
Shreveport
Utilities
102
Scranton
91
Shreveport
Transportation
101
Scranton
96
Shreveport
Healthcare
90
Scranton
93
Shreveport

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Scranton has the same purchasing power as $70,000 in Shreveport.

Conversely, $75,000 in Shreveport equals $80,357 in Scranton.

Living in Scranton vs Shreveport

Housing Costs

Scranton's housing index of 65 is higher Shreveport's 54, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $170,000. The $25,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,620 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Scranton compared to $900/mo in Shreveport, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Scranton and 98 in Shreveport. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Scranton vs $466/month in Shreveport. 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 Scranton and 91 in Shreveport. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Scranton vs $364 in Shreveport. 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 90 in Scranton and 93 in Shreveport. 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 $49,500 in Scranton and $43,200 in Shreveport. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,000 and $51,429 respectively. Scranton residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,155/month to housing in Scranton vs $1,008/month in Shreveport. In Scranton, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Shreveport, median rent of $900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 11 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Shreveport is 7.1% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 90.
A $75,000 salary in Scranton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $70,000 in Shreveport, based on the cost of living difference.
Scranton's housing index is 65 with median homes at $195,000, while Shreveport's is 54 with median homes at $170,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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