Harrisburg, PA vs Scranton, PA

Harrisburg, PA and Scranton, PA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.4% difference in their overall index. Harrisburg scores 74 while Scranton scores 74 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Harrisburg is $996/month compared to $991/month in Scranton — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Scranton has cheaper rent, Harrisburg actually has lower median home values ($121,000 vs $141,700).

Median household income in Harrisburg is $47,783 compared to $49,531 in Scranton (-3.5%). While Scranton is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Harrisburg spend roughly 25% of their income on rent, more than the 24% in Scranton.