CostIndexUSA

Erie, PA vs Scranton, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordablePA
Erie
91
overall index
$1,075/mo rent
PA
Scranton
93.6
overall index
$1,325/mo rent

Erie is slightly cheaper than Scranton — 2.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Erie, you would need $82,300 in Scranton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+18.0%
Erie
56.8
Scranton
67
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Erie
100.7
Scranton
100.7
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Erie
102.6
Scranton
102.6
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Erie
92.8
Scranton
92.8
Utilities≈ Equal
Erie
106.8
Scranton
106.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Erie to see what you'd need to earn in Scranton to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Scranton, PA
$82,300
$2,300 more needed in Scranton

Formula: salary × (93.6 ÷ 91) = salary × 1.0286. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Erie, PA

Median Home Price
$209,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,075
Housing Index
56.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

Scranton, PA

Median Home Price
$220,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,325
Housing Index
67
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.8×

Scranton has 18.0% higher housing costs compared to Erie.

Income & Job Market

Erie, PA

Median Household Income
$60,700
Per Capita Income
$34,600
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
94,831
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareEducationTechnologyRetail

Scranton, PA

Median Household Income
$58,800
Per Capita Income
$33,500
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
76,997
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingEducationGovernmentRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Erie, PA
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Scranton, PA
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.