Scranton vs Sydney
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Scranton
Sydney
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 14.3%, with Scranton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Scranton has equivalent purchasing power to $87,500 in Sydney.
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 $87,500 in Sydney.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sydney equals $64,286 in Scranton.
Living in Scranton vs Sydney
Housing Costs
Scranton's housing index of 65 is lower Sydney's 142, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $825,000. The $630,000 difference in home prices means roughly $40,956 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Scranton compared to $2,050/mo in Sydney, a monthly difference of $1,025.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Scranton and 95 in Sydney. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Scranton vs $451/month in Sydney. 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 98 in Sydney. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Scranton vs $392 in Sydney. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in Scranton and 72 in Sydney. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-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 $60,000 in Sydney. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,000 and $57,143 respectively. Sydney 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 $1,400/month in Sydney. In Scranton, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Sydney, median rent of $2,050/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 77 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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