City Comparison

Scranton vs Yonkers

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Scranton

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

Yonkers

New York
142
Expensive
$635,000
Median Home
$2,200/mo
Median Rent
$80,600
Median Income

The Verdict

36.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 36.6%, with Scranton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Scranton has equivalent purchasing power to $118,333 in Yonkers.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
65
Scranton
203
Yonkers
Groceries
98
Scranton
106
Yonkers
Utilities
102
Scranton
117
Yonkers
Transportation
101
Scranton
116
Yonkers
Healthcare
90
Scranton
107
Yonkers

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Scranton has the same purchasing power as $118,333 in Yonkers.

Conversely, $75,000 in Yonkers equals $47,535 in Scranton.

Living in Scranton vs Yonkers

Housing Costs

Scranton's housing index of 65 is lower Yonkers's 203, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $635,000. The $440,000 difference in home prices means roughly $28,596 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Scranton compared to $2,200/mo in Yonkers, a monthly difference of $1,175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Scranton and 106 in Yonkers. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Scranton vs $504/month in Yonkers. Scranton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Scranton and 117 in Yonkers. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Scranton vs $468 in Yonkers. 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 107 in Yonkers. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-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 $80,600 in Yonkers. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,000 and $56,761 respectively. Yonkers 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 $1,881/month in Yonkers. In Scranton, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Yonkers, median rent of $2,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 138 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Scranton is 36.6% more affordable overall with an index of 90 vs 142.
A $75,000 salary in Scranton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $118,333 in Yonkers, based on the cost of living difference.
Scranton's housing index is 65 with median homes at $195,000, while Yonkers's is 203 with median homes at $635,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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