CostIndexUSA

San Jose, CA vs Scranton, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
San Jose
110.4
overall index
$3,400/mo rent
More AffordablePA
Scranton
93.6
overall index
$1,325/mo rent

Scranton is significantly cheaper than San Jose — 15.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in San Jose, you would need $67,800 in Scranton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing68.4%
San Jose
211.9
Scranton
67
🛒 Groceries4.3%
San Jose
105.2
Scranton
100.7
🚗 Transportation2.6%
San Jose
105.3
Scranton
102.6
🏥 Healthcare2.6%
San Jose
95.3
Scranton
92.8
Utilities32.0%
San Jose
156.7
Scranton
106.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Scranton, PA
$67,800
$12,200 less needed in Scranton

Formula: salary × (93.6 ÷ 110.4) = salary × 0.8478. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

San Jose, CA

Median Home Price
$1,569,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,400
Housing Index
211.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
38.5×

Scranton, PA

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

San Jose has 68.4% lower housing costs compared to Scranton.

Income & Job Market

San Jose, CA

Median Household Income
$153,200
Per Capita Income
$87,300
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
1,013,240
Top Industries
TechnologySemiconductorsSoftwareHealthcareFinance

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).

San Jose, CA
3.8×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.