CostIndexUSA

Montgomery, AL vs Scranton, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableAL
Montgomery
89.7
overall index
$1,375/mo rent
PA
Scranton
93.6
overall index
$1,325/mo rent

Montgomery is slightly cheaper than Scranton — 4.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Montgomery, you would need $83,500 in Scranton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+4.2%
Montgomery
64.3
Scranton
67
🛒 Groceries+4.5%
Montgomery
96.4
Scranton
100.7
🚗 Transportation+1.1%
Montgomery
101.5
Scranton
102.6
🏥 Healthcare+1.0%
Montgomery
91.9
Scranton
92.8
Utilities+25.4%
Montgomery
84.9
Scranton
106.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Scranton, PA
$83,500
$3,500 more needed in Scranton

Formula: salary × (93.6 ÷ 89.7) = salary × 1.0435. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Montgomery, AL

Median Home Price
$205,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,375
Housing Index
64.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.4×

Scranton, PA

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

Scranton has 4.2% higher housing costs compared to Montgomery.

Income & Job Market

Montgomery, AL

Median Household Income
$62,400
Per Capita Income
$35,600
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
199,518
Top Industries
GovernmentMilitaryHealthcareManufacturingEducation

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).

Montgomery, AL
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.