Scranton wins overall by ~46% (COL index)
Cost of living: Scranton vs Washington (2026)
A $73,000 salary in Scranton buys roughly what $134,566 does in Washington (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$33,703/yr
Favoring Scranton for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $2,809/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~6 months and still keep ~$337/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Scranton Pennsylvania | Washington District of Columbia | Who wins | Your impact at $73K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $850Wins | $2,400 | Scranton wins +$1,550/mo | $18,600/yr saves in Scranton |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,050Wins | $3,100 | Scranton wins +$2,050/mo | $24,600/yr saves in Scranton |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,400Wins | $4,200 | Scranton wins +$2,800/mo | $33,600/yr saves in Scranton |
| Median home price | $165KWins | $650K | Scranton wins +$485K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 95Wins | 111 | Scranton wins +16 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $12Wins | $18 | Scranton wins +$6/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $50Wins | $75 | Scranton wins +$25/mo | $300/yr saves in Scranton |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $58Wins | $100 | Scranton wins +$42/mo | $504/yr saves in Scranton |
| Gas price/gal | $3.25Better | $3.60 | Scranton wins +$0.35 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $145Wins | $185 | Scranton wins +$40/mo | $480/yr saves in Scranton |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $165Wins | $190 | Scranton wins +$25/mo | $300/yr saves in Scranton |
| Internet/mo | $62Wins | $75 | Scranton wins +$13/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $46K | $100KWins | Washington wins +$54K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 3.1%Wins | 5.8% | Scranton wins +2.7 pp | $1,971/yr saves in Scranton |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 6.0%Better | 6.0% | — | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $14.00Wins | $17.00 | Scranton wins +$3.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $33Wins | $65 | Scranton wins +$32/mo | $384/yr saves in Scranton |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.50Wins | $8.50 | Scranton wins +$3.00 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 83Wins | 153 | Scranton wins +70 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 42 | 77Wins | Washington wins +35 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$1,980/yr tax difference into cash back
Scranton fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Scranton.
High-yield savings
Park ~$24,600/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Scranton cheaper than Washington?
Yes. Scranton is 46% cheaper than Washington based on overall cost of living indices (83 vs 153, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Scranton vs Washington?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Scranton is $1,050/month and in Washington is $3,100/month. Scranton is cheaper by 66%.
How much do I need to earn in Washington to match a $75,000 salary in Scranton?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $138,253/year in Washington to match a $75,000 salary in Scranton. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Scranton or Washington?
Scranton has the lower state income tax rate at 3.1% vs 5.8%. The difference is 2.7 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Scranton to Washington?
It depends on your priorities. Scranton offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Scranton ↔ Washington
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