Scranton vs Waco
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Scranton
Waco
The Verdict
Waco is 8.4% less expensive than Scranton overall. A household earning $75,000 in Scranton would need approximately $69,167 in Waco 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 $69,167 in Waco.
Conversely, $75,000 in Waco equals $81,325 in Scranton.
Living in Scranton vs Waco
Housing Costs
Scranton's housing index of 65 is higher Waco's 63, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $230,000. The $35,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,280 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Scranton compared to $1,050/mo in Waco, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Scranton and 95 in Waco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Scranton vs $451/month in Waco. 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 97 in Waco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Scranton vs $388 in Waco. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in Scranton and 93 in Waco. 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 $49,500 in Waco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,000 and $59,639 respectively. Waco 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 $1,155/month in Waco. In Scranton, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Waco, median rent of $1,050/mo remains manageable. 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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