Scranton vs Stockholm
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Scranton
Stockholm
The Verdict
Scranton is 7.2% less expensive than Stockholm overall. A household earning $75,000 in Scranton would need approximately $80,833 in Stockholm 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 $80,833 in Stockholm.
Conversely, $75,000 in Stockholm equals $69,588 in Scranton.
Living in Scranton vs Stockholm
Housing Costs
Scranton's housing index of 65 is lower Stockholm's 118, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $445,000. The $250,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,248 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Scranton compared to $1,500/mo in Stockholm, a monthly difference of $475.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Scranton and 92 in Stockholm. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Scranton vs $437/month in Stockholm. Stockholm offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Scranton and 88 in Stockholm. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Scranton vs $352 in Stockholm. 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 82 in Stockholm. 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 $50,000 in Stockholm. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,000 and $51,546 respectively. Scranton residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,155/month to housing in Scranton vs $1,167/month in Stockholm. In Scranton, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Stockholm, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 53 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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