CostIndexUSA

Mesa, AZ vs Scranton, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

AZ
Mesa
103.3
overall index
$1,725/mo rent
More AffordablePA
Scranton
93.6
overall index
$1,325/mo rent

Scranton is moderately cheaper than Mesa — 9.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Mesa, you would need $72,500 in Scranton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing44.7%
Mesa
121.2
Scranton
67
🛒 Groceries+6.0%
Mesa
95
Scranton
100.7
🚗 Transportation6.0%
Mesa
109.2
Scranton
102.6
🏥 Healthcare6.1%
Mesa
98.8
Scranton
92.8
Utilities+14.1%
Mesa
93.3
Scranton
106.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Scranton, PA
$72,500
$7,500 less needed in Scranton

Formula: salary × (93.6 ÷ 103.3) = salary × 0.9061. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Mesa, AZ

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
121.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Scranton, PA

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

Mesa has 44.7% lower housing costs compared to Scranton.

Income & Job Market

Mesa, AZ

Median Household Income
$85,700
Per Capita Income
$48,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
518,012
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareRetailManufacturingAerospace

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).

Mesa, AZ
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.