CostIndexUSA

Olympia, WA vs Scranton, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

WA
Olympia
103.7
overall index
$2,025/mo rent
More AffordablePA
Scranton
93.6
overall index
$1,325/mo rent

Scranton is moderately cheaper than Olympia — 9.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Olympia, you would need $72,200 in Scranton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing42.6%
Olympia
116.7
Scranton
67
🛒 Groceries4.1%
Olympia
105
Scranton
100.7
🚗 Transportation1.7%
Olympia
104.4
Scranton
102.6
🏥 Healthcare1.8%
Olympia
94.5
Scranton
92.8
Utilities+16.1%
Olympia
91.7
Scranton
106.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Scranton, PA
$72,200
$7,800 less needed in Scranton

Formula: salary × (93.6 ÷ 103.7) = salary × 0.9026. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Olympia, WA

Median Home Price
$518,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,025
Housing Index
116.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.3×

Scranton, PA

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

Olympia has 42.6% lower housing costs compared to Scranton.

Income & Job Market

Olympia, WA

Median Household Income
$93,200
Per Capita Income
$53,100
Unemployment Rate
4.1%
Population
53,532
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareEducationRetailManufacturing

Scranton, PA

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

Affordability at a Glance

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

Olympia, WA
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Scranton, PA
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.