CostIndexUSA

Mount Vernon, WA vs Scranton, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

WA
Mount Vernon
102.4
overall index
$2,125/mo rent
More AffordablePA
Scranton
93.6
overall index
$1,325/mo rent

Scranton is moderately cheaper than Mount Vernon — 8.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Mount Vernon, you would need $73,100 in Scranton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing38.1%
Mount Vernon
108.2
Scranton
67
🛒 Groceries4.1%
Mount Vernon
105
Scranton
100.7
🚗 Transportation1.7%
Mount Vernon
104.4
Scranton
102.6
🏥 Healthcare1.8%
Mount Vernon
94.5
Scranton
92.8
Utilities+10.9%
Mount Vernon
96
Scranton
106.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Scranton, PA
$73,100
$6,900 less needed in Scranton

Formula: salary × (93.6 ÷ 102.4) = salary × 0.9141. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Mount Vernon, WA

Median Home Price
$567,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,125
Housing Index
108.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.2×

Scranton, PA

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

Mount Vernon has 38.1% lower housing costs compared to Scranton.

Income & Job Market

Mount Vernon, WA

Median Household Income
$91,200
Per Capita Income
$52,000
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
36,727
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingRetailTourism

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).

Mount Vernon, WA
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% 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.