Scranton vs Sparks
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Scranton
Sparks
The Verdict
Scranton is 24.4% less expensive than Sparks overall. A household earning $75,000 in Scranton would need approximately $99,167 in Sparks 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 Scranton has the same purchasing power as $99,167 in Sparks.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sparks equals $56,723 in Scranton.
Living in Scranton vs Sparks
Housing Costs
Scranton's housing index of 65 is lower Sparks's 162, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $500,000. The $305,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,824 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Scranton compared to $1,475/mo in Sparks, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Scranton and 103 in Sparks. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Scranton vs $489/month in Sparks. 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 90 in Sparks. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Scranton vs $360 in Sparks. 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 88 in Sparks. 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 $67,200 in Sparks. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,000 and $56,471 respectively. Sparks residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,155/month to housing in Scranton vs $1,568/month in Sparks. In Scranton, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Sparks, median rent of $1,475/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 97 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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