Scranton vs Youngstown
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Scranton
Youngstown
The Verdict
Youngstown is 9.8% less expensive than Scranton overall. A household earning $75,000 in Scranton would need approximately $68,333 in Youngstown 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 $68,333 in Youngstown.
Conversely, $75,000 in Youngstown equals $82,317 in Scranton.
Living in Scranton vs Youngstown
Housing Costs
Scranton's housing index of 65 is higher Youngstown's 41, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $102,000. The $93,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,048 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Scranton compared to $725/mo in Youngstown, a monthly difference of $300.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Scranton and 98 in Youngstown. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Scranton vs $466/month in Youngstown. 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 96 in Youngstown. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Scranton vs $384 in Youngstown. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in Scranton and 90 in Youngstown. 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 $34,600 in Youngstown. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,000 and $42,195 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 $807/month in Youngstown. In Scranton, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Youngstown, median rent of $725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 24 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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