Scranton, KS vs Sterling, KS

Scranton is moderately more affordable than Sterling, with a 8.1% lower cost of living index. Scranton scores 56 compared to 61 for Sterling, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Sterling can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Scranton is $642/month compared to $618/month in Sterling — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Sterling has cheaper rent, Scranton actually has lower median home values ($75,500 vs $130,200).

Median household income in Scranton is $53,767 compared to $51,304 in Sterling (+4.8%). Scranton offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Scranton spend roughly 14.3% of their income on rent, less than the 14.5% in Sterling.