Scranton vs Trenton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Scranton
Trenton
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 7.2%, with Scranton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Scranton has equivalent purchasing power to $80,833 in Trenton.
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 Trenton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Trenton equals $69,588 in Scranton.
Living in Scranton vs Trenton
Housing Costs
Scranton's housing index of 65 is lower Trenton's 71, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $203,000. The $8,000 difference in home prices means roughly $516 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Scranton compared to $1,100/mo in Trenton, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Scranton and 102 in Trenton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Scranton vs $485/month in Trenton. 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 109 in Trenton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Scranton vs $436 in Trenton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in Scranton and 96 in Trenton. 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 $44,400 in Trenton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,000 and $45,773 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 $1,036/month in Trenton. In Scranton, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Trenton, median rent of $1,100/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 12 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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