Scranton vs Vienna
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Scranton
Vienna
The Verdict
Living in Vienna costs 2.3% less than Scranton. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Scranton, you would need $73,333 in Vienna.
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 $73,333 in Vienna.
Conversely, $75,000 in Vienna equals $76,705 in Scranton.
Living in Scranton vs Vienna
Housing Costs
Scranton's housing index of 65 is lower Vienna's 105, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $395,000. The $200,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,996 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Scranton compared to $1,275/mo in Vienna, a monthly difference of $250.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Scranton and 85 in Vienna. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Scranton vs $404/month in Vienna. Vienna offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $744/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Scranton and 98 in Vienna. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Scranton vs $392 in Vienna. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in Scranton and 82 in Vienna. 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 $48,000 in Vienna. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,000 and $54,545 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 $1,120/month in Vienna. In Scranton, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Vienna, median rent of $1,275/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 40 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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