CostIndexUSA

San Luis Obispo, CA vs Scranton, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
San Luis Obispo
108.6
overall index
$3,000/mo rent
More AffordablePA
Scranton
93.6
overall index
$1,325/mo rent

Scranton is moderately cheaper than San Luis Obispo — 13.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in San Luis Obispo, you would need $69,000 in Scranton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing53.6%
San Luis Obispo
144.4
Scranton
67
🛒 Groceries4.3%
San Luis Obispo
105.2
Scranton
100.7
🚗 Transportation2.6%
San Luis Obispo
105.3
Scranton
102.6
🏥 Healthcare2.6%
San Luis Obispo
95.3
Scranton
92.8
Utilities27.9%
San Luis Obispo
147.8
Scranton
106.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Scranton, PA
$69,000
$11,000 less needed in Scranton

Formula: salary × (93.6 ÷ 108.6) = salary × 0.8619. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

San Luis Obispo, CA

Median Home Price
$880,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,000
Housing Index
144.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.4×

Scranton, PA

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

San Luis Obispo has 53.6% lower housing costs compared to Scranton.

Income & Job Market

San Luis Obispo, CA

Median Household Income
$90,700
Per Capita Income
$51,700
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
47,536
Top Industries
EducationTourismAgricultureHealthcareTechnology

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).

San Luis Obispo, CA
2.5×income-to-rent ratio

60% 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.