Scranton, PA vs Williamsport, PA

Williamsport is moderately more affordable than Scranton, with a 6.8% lower cost of living index. Scranton scores 74 compared to 70 for Williamsport, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Scranton can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Scranton is $991/month compared to $825/month in Williamsport — a 20% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Williamsport has cheaper rent, Scranton actually has lower median home values ($141,700 vs $146,500).

Median household income in Scranton is $49,531 compared to $49,363 in Williamsport (+0.3%). Scranton does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Scranton spend roughly 24% of their income on rent, more than the 20.1% in Williamsport.