Scranton vs Syracuse
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Scranton
Syracuse
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 2.2%, with Scranton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Scranton has equivalent purchasing power to $76,667 in Syracuse.
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 $76,667 in Syracuse.
Conversely, $75,000 in Syracuse equals $73,370 in Scranton.
Living in Scranton vs Syracuse
Housing Costs
Scranton's housing index of 65 is lower Syracuse's 69, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $140,000. The $55,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,576 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Scranton compared to $950/mo in Syracuse, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Scranton and 101 in Syracuse. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Scranton vs $480/month in Syracuse. 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 105 in Syracuse. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Scranton vs $420 in Syracuse. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in Scranton and 100 in Syracuse. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $36,708 in Syracuse. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,000 and $39,900 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 $857/month in Syracuse. In Scranton, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Syracuse, median rent of $950/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 10 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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