City Comparison

Scranton vs Warwick

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Scranton

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

Warwick

Rhode Island
106
Above Average
$413,000
Median Home
$1,425/mo
Median Rent
$74,600
Median Income

The Verdict

15.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 15.1%, with Scranton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Scranton has equivalent purchasing power to $88,333 in Warwick.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
65
Scranton
127
Warwick
Groceries
98
Scranton
102
Warwick
Utilities
102
Scranton
112
Warwick
Transportation
101
Scranton
105
Warwick
Healthcare
90
Scranton
103
Warwick

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Scranton has the same purchasing power as $88,333 in Warwick.

Conversely, $75,000 in Warwick equals $63,679 in Scranton.

Living in Scranton vs Warwick

Housing Costs

Scranton's housing index of 65 is lower Warwick's 127, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $413,000. The $218,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,172 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Scranton compared to $1,425/mo in Warwick, a monthly difference of $400.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Scranton and 102 in Warwick. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Scranton vs $485/month in Warwick. 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 112 in Warwick. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Scranton vs $448 in Warwick. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 90 in Scranton and 103 in Warwick. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-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 $74,600 in Warwick. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,000 and $70,377 respectively. Warwick 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 $1,741/month in Warwick. In Scranton, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Warwick, median rent of $1,425/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 62 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Scranton is 15.1% more affordable overall with an index of 90 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Scranton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $88,333 in Warwick, based on the cost of living difference.
Scranton's housing index is 65 with median homes at $195,000, while Warwick's is 127 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases