Scranton vs Springfield
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Scranton
Springfield
The Verdict
Scranton is 15.9% less expensive than Springfield overall. A household earning $75,000 in Scranton would need approximately $89,167 in Springfield 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 $89,167 in Springfield.
Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $63,084 in Scranton.
Living in Scranton vs Springfield
Housing Costs
Scranton's housing index of 65 is lower Springfield's 106, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $230,000. The $35,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,280 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Scranton compared to $1,200/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Scranton and 104 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Scranton vs $494/month in Springfield. Scranton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Scranton and 119 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Scranton vs $476 in Springfield. 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 114 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 24-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $49,500 in Scranton and $41,612 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,000 and $38,890 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 $971/month in Springfield. In Scranton, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 41 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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