Can I Afford to Live in Scranton vs Panama City on $100K?

Here's how a $100K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Scranton, PA
$6,063/mo take-home
Rent: $1,050/mo (17% of take-home)
Very comfortable
Panama City, PA
$6,321/mo take-home
Rent: $900/mo (14% of take-home)
Very comfortable

Monthly budget breakdown

Scranton
PA
Panama City
PA
Monthly take-home (est.)
$6,063
$6,321Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,050
$900Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$361Best ✓
$380
Transport (est.)
$58Best ✓
$150
Utilities
$165
$70Best ✓
Internet
$62
$40Best ✓
Left after essentials
$4,367/month
$4,781/month
Panama City (Panama Province) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Scranton (PA rate: 3.1%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $100K a good salary in Scranton?

At $100K/year in Scranton, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,063. With 1BR rent around $1,050/month, rent takes up 17% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Is $100K a good salary in Panama City?

At $100K/year in Panama City, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,321. With 1BR rent around $900/month, rent takes up 14% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $100K salary?

Panama City leaves you with more money after core expenses — $4,781/month vs $4,367/month in Scranton.

Can I afford to live alone in Scranton on $100K?

Yes. At $100K in Scranton, rent takes 17% of your take-home, leaving $4,367/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Scranton vs Panama City

$40K$50K$60K$75K$80K$120K$150K

See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more — side by side.

Full comparison

Take-home estimates use simplified federal/state brackets and do not account for pre-tax deductions, 401(k), or local taxes. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only