CostIndexUSA

Scranton, PA vs St. Cloud, MN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

PA
Scranton
93.6
overall index
$1,325/mo rent
More AffordableMN
St. Cloud
87.6
overall index
$1,175/mo rent

St. Cloud is moderately cheaper than Scranton — 6.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Scranton, you would need $74,900 in St. Cloud. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing2.8%
Scranton
67
St. Cloud
65.1
🛒 Groceries5.3%
Scranton
100.7
St. Cloud
95.4
🚗 Transportation5.7%
Scranton
102.6
St. Cloud
96.8
🏥 Healthcare5.6%
Scranton
92.8
St. Cloud
87.6
Utilities16.7%
Scranton
106.5
St. Cloud
88.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in St. Cloud, MN
$74,900
$5,100 less needed in St. Cloud

Formula: salary × (87.6 ÷ 93.6) = salary × 0.9359. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Scranton, PA

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

St. Cloud, MN

Median Home Price
$302,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,175
Housing Index
65.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Scranton has 2.8% lower housing costs compared to St. Cloud.

Income & Job Market

Scranton, PA

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

St. Cloud, MN

Median Household Income
$74,000
Per Capita Income
$42,200
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
67,984
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingEducationRetailTechnology

Affordability at a Glance

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

Scranton, PA
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

St. Cloud, MN
5.2×income-to-rent ratio

81% 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.