CostIndexUSA

Scranton, PA vs Tacoma, WA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordablePA
Scranton
93.6
overall index
$1,325/mo rent
WA
Tacoma
111.1
overall index
$2,175/mo rent

Scranton is significantly cheaper than Tacoma — 18.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Scranton, you would need $95,000 in Tacoma. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+125.8%
Scranton
67
Tacoma
151.3
🛒 Groceries+3.3%
Scranton
100.7
Tacoma
104
🚗 Transportation+9.4%
Scranton
102.6
Tacoma
112.2
🏥 Healthcare+9.4%
Scranton
92.8
Tacoma
101.5
Utilities12.9%
Scranton
106.5
Tacoma
92.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tacoma, WA
$95,000
$15,000 more needed in Tacoma

Formula: salary × (111.1 ÷ 93.6) = salary × 1.1870. 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×

Tacoma, WA

Median Home Price
$730,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,175
Housing Index
151.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
28.0×

Tacoma has 125.8% higher housing costs compared to Scranton.

Income & Job Market

Scranton, PA

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

Tacoma, WA

Median Household Income
$110,700
Per Capita Income
$63,100
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
219,346
Top Industries
MilitaryManufacturingHealthcareLogisticsRetail

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)

Tacoma, WA
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.