CostIndexUSA

Scranton, PA vs Winston-Salem, NC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

PA
Scranton
93.6
overall index
$1,325/mo rent
More AffordableNC
Winston-Salem
92
overall index
$1,075/mo rent

Winston-Salem is slightly cheaper than Scranton — 1.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Scranton, you would need $78,600 in Winston-Salem. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+6.6%
Scranton
67
Winston-Salem
71.4
🛒 Groceries4.1%
Scranton
100.7
Winston-Salem
96.6
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Scranton
102.6
Winston-Salem
103.1
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Scranton
92.8
Winston-Salem
93.3
Utilities17.0%
Scranton
106.5
Winston-Salem
88.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Winston-Salem, NC
$78,600
$1,400 less needed in Winston-Salem

Formula: salary × (92 ÷ 93.6) = salary × 0.9829. 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×

Winston-Salem, NC

Median Home Price
$355,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,075
Housing Index
71.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
27.5×

Winston-Salem has 6.6% 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

Winston-Salem, NC

Median Household Income
$64,400
Per Capita Income
$36,700
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
247,945
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingFinanceEducationGovernment

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)

Winston-Salem, NC
5.0×income-to-rent ratio

80% 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.