CostIndexUSA

Scranton, PA vs Virginia Beach, VA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordablePA
Scranton
93.6
overall index
$1,325/mo rent
VA
Virginia Beach
97.9
overall index
$1,800/mo rent

Scranton is slightly cheaper than Virginia Beach — 4.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Scranton, you would need $83,700 in Virginia Beach. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+49.0%
Scranton
67
Virginia Beach
99.8
🛒 Groceries3.9%
Scranton
100.7
Virginia Beach
96.8
🚗 Transportation+0.9%
Scranton
102.6
Virginia Beach
103.5
🏥 Healthcare+1.0%
Scranton
92.8
Virginia Beach
93.7
Utilities15.9%
Scranton
106.5
Virginia Beach
89.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Virginia Beach, VA
$83,700
$3,700 more needed in Virginia Beach

Formula: salary × (97.9 ÷ 93.6) = salary × 1.0459. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Scranton, PA

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

Virginia Beach, VA

Median Home Price
$360,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,800
Housing Index
99.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.7×

Virginia Beach has 49.0% higher housing costs compared to Scranton.

Income & Job Market

Scranton, PA

Median Household Income
$58,800
Per Capita Income
$33,500
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
76,997
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingEducationGovernmentRetail

Virginia Beach, VA

Median Household Income
$79,300
Per Capita Income
$45,200
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
Population
459,470
Top Industries
MilitaryTourismHealthcareRetailGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Scranton, PA
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Virginia Beach, VA
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.