salaryRent is lower than in 58% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 19.3 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $59,720 a year. That is $29 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Pennsylvania cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Pennsylvania. It is number 156 of 269 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Scranton?
Share of households by yearly income. 15.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Scranton
| Size | Scranton | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,027 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $898 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,129 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,345 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,683 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Scranton overall?
Everyday prices in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre metro area are 6% below the U.S. average (index 93.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Scranton
Life in Scranton
What jobs pay in Scranton
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $130,950 | 13.7% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,820 | 14.1% |
| Physician Assistant | $126,230 | 14.2% |
| Software Developer | $119,960 | 14.9% |
| Lawyer | $100,420 | 17.8% |
| Civil Engineer | $95,730 | 18.7% |
| Operations Manager | $93,820 | 19.1% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $84,820 | 21.1% |
| Registered Nurse | $82,650 | 21.7% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $76,590 | 23.4% |
| Police Officer | $72,210 | 24.8% |
| Dental Hygienist | $70,730 | 25.3% |
| Accountant | $70,480 | 25.4% |
| Electrician | $69,540 | 25.8% |
| HVAC Technician | $61,750 | 29.0% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $61,740 | 29.0% |
| Plumber | $61,160 | 29.3% |
| Market Research Analyst | $60,440 | 29.6% |
| Firefighter | $60,410 | 29.7% |
| Carpenter | $60,240 | 29.7% |
| Truck Driver | $57,580 | 31.1% |
| Nursing Assistant | $43,980 | 40.7% |
| Warehouse Worker | $42,900 | 41.8% |
| Medical Assistant | $42,760 | 41.9% |
| Customer Service Representative | $42,010 | 42.6% |
| Restaurant Cook | $34,870 | 51.4% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,020 | 59.7% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $29,770 | 60.2% |
| Cashier | $28,380 | 63.1% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Scranton?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $396 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $158,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $15,810 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Scranton, PA?
Renting in Scranton costs a median of about $1,493 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Pennsylvania median is $1,367.
How much do I need to make to live in Scranton?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $59,720 a year, or $29 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Scranton cheap or expensive?
Scranton is rated Expensive: rent takes 32.7% of the typical household income of $54,722. It ranks 156th cheapest of 269 Pennsylvania cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Scranton?
The median homeowner in Scranton pays $3,224 a year in property taxes, about 2.04% of the median home value.
Is Scranton more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 6% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Scranton?
The median home value in Scranton is $158,100, about 2.9 times the typical yearly household income.
76,033 people live in Scranton. Numbers are typical (middle) values.