Scranton vs Temecula
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Scranton
Temecula
The Verdict
Scranton is 31.3% less expensive than Temecula overall. A household earning $75,000 in Scranton would need approximately $109,167 in Temecula 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 $109,167 in Temecula.
Conversely, $75,000 in Temecula equals $51,527 in Scranton.
Living in Scranton vs Temecula
Housing Costs
Scranton's housing index of 65 is lower Temecula's 197, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $750,000. The $555,000 difference in home prices means roughly $36,072 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Scranton compared to $2,525/mo in Temecula, a monthly difference of $1,500.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Scranton and 107 in Temecula. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Scranton vs $508/month in Temecula. Scranton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $504/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Scranton and 115 in Temecula. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Scranton vs $460 in Temecula. 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 99 in Temecula. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-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 $98,600 in Temecula. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,000 and $75,267 respectively. Temecula 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 $2,301/month in Temecula. In Scranton, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Temecula, median rent of $2,525/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 132 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases