Scranton vs Wilmington

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 $85,833 in Wilmington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $65,534 in Scranton.

Living in Scranton vs Wilmington

Housing Costs

Scranton's housing index of 65 is lower Wilmington's 108, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $320,000. The $125,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,124 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Scranton compared to $1,400/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $375.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Scranton and 101 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Scranton vs $480/month in Wilmington. 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 94 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Scranton vs $376 in Wilmington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 90 in Scranton and 106 in Wilmington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-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 $48,432 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,000 and $47,021 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 $1,130/month in Wilmington. In Scranton, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 43 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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