City Comparison

Scranton vs Springdale

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Scranton

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

Springdale

Arkansas
87
Below Average
$299,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$62,100
Median Income

The Verdict

3.4%

Living in Springdale costs 3.4% less than Scranton. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Scranton, you would need $72,500 in Springdale.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
65
Scranton
86
Springdale
Groceries
98
Scranton
97
Springdale
Utilities
102
Scranton
93
Springdale
Transportation
101
Scranton
91
Springdale
Healthcare
90
Scranton
82
Springdale

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Scranton has the same purchasing power as $72,500 in Springdale.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springdale equals $77,586 in Scranton.

Living in Scranton vs Springdale

Housing Costs

Scranton's housing index of 65 is lower Springdale's 86, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $299,000. The $104,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,756 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Scranton compared to $1,000/mo in Springdale, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Scranton and 97 in Springdale. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Scranton vs $461/month in Springdale. 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 93 in Springdale. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Scranton vs $372 in Springdale. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 90 in Scranton and 82 in Springdale. 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 $62,100 in Springdale. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,000 and $71,379 respectively. Springdale 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 $1,449/month in Springdale. In Scranton, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Springdale, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springdale is 3.4% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 90.
A $75,000 salary in Scranton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $72,500 in Springdale, based on the cost of living difference.
Scranton's housing index is 65 with median homes at $195,000, while Springdale's is 86 with median homes at $299,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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