City Comparison

Scranton vs St George

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Scranton

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

St George

Utah
110
Above Average
$550,000
Median Home
$1,525/mo
Median Rent
$72,400
Median Income

The Verdict

18.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 18.2%, with Scranton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Scranton has equivalent purchasing power to $91,667 in St George.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
65
Scranton
144
St George
Groceries
98
Scranton
100
St George
Utilities
102
Scranton
87
St George
Transportation
101
Scranton
104
St George
Healthcare
90
Scranton
96
St George

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Scranton has the same purchasing power as $91,667 in St George.

Conversely, $75,000 in St George equals $61,364 in Scranton.

Living in Scranton vs St George

Housing Costs

Scranton's housing index of 65 is lower St George's 144, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $550,000. The $355,000 difference in home prices means roughly $23,076 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Scranton compared to $1,525/mo in St George, a monthly difference of $500.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Scranton and 100 in St George. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Scranton vs $475/month in St George. 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 87 in St George. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Scranton vs $348 in St George. 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 96 in St George. 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 $72,400 in St George. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,000 and $65,818 respectively. St George 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 $1,689/month in St George. In Scranton, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In St George, median rent of $1,525/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 79 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Scranton is 18.2% more affordable overall with an index of 90 vs 110.
A $75,000 salary in Scranton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $91,667 in St George, based on the cost of living difference.
Scranton's housing index is 65 with median homes at $195,000, while St George's is 144 with median homes at $550,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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