CostIndexUSA

Memphis, TN vs Scranton, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTN
Memphis
92.2
overall index
$1,425/mo rent
PA
Scranton
93.6
overall index
$1,325/mo rent

Memphis is slightly cheaper than Scranton — 1.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Memphis, you would need $81,200 in Scranton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing16.0%
Memphis
79.8
Scranton
67
🛒 Groceries+4.7%
Memphis
96.2
Scranton
100.7
🚗 Transportation+2.5%
Memphis
100.1
Scranton
102.6
🏥 Healthcare+2.4%
Memphis
90.6
Scranton
92.8
Utilities+43.7%
Memphis
74.1
Scranton
106.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Scranton, PA
$81,200
$1,200 more needed in Scranton

Formula: salary × (93.6 ÷ 92.2) = salary × 1.0152. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Memphis, TN

Median Home Price
$238,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,425
Housing Index
79.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.9×

Scranton, PA

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

Memphis has 16.0% lower housing costs compared to Scranton.

Income & Job Market

Memphis, TN

Median Household Income
$64,000
Per Capita Income
$36,500
Unemployment Rate
5.7%
Population
633,104
Top Industries
LogisticsHealthcareManufacturingTourismGovernment

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).

Memphis, TN
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.