City Comparison

Scranton vs Twin Falls

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Scranton

Pennsylvania
90
Below Average
$195,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$49,500
Median Income

Twin Falls

Idaho
92
Below Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,150/mo
Median Rent
$60,900
Median Income

The Verdict

2.2%

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 Twin Falls.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
65
Scranton
93
Twin Falls
Groceries
98
Scranton
98
Twin Falls
Utilities
102
Scranton
85
Twin Falls
Transportation
101
Scranton
96
Twin Falls
Healthcare
90
Scranton
94
Twin Falls

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Scranton has the same purchasing power as $76,667 in Twin Falls.

Conversely, $75,000 in Twin Falls equals $73,370 in Scranton.

Living in Scranton vs Twin Falls

Housing Costs

Scranton's housing index of 65 is lower Twin Falls's 93, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $380,000. The $185,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,024 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Scranton compared to $1,150/mo in Twin Falls, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Scranton and 98 in Twin Falls. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Scranton vs $466/month in Twin Falls. 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 85 in Twin Falls. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Scranton vs $340 in Twin Falls. 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 94 in Twin Falls. 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 $60,900 in Twin Falls. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,000 and $66,196 respectively. Twin Falls 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 $1,421/month in Twin Falls. In Scranton, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Twin Falls, median rent of $1,150/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 28 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Scranton is 2.2% more affordable overall with an index of 90 vs 92.
A $75,000 salary in Scranton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $76,667 in Twin Falls, based on the cost of living difference.
Scranton's housing index is 65 with median homes at $195,000, while Twin Falls's is 93 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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