Is Austin, TX cheaper than Scranton, PA?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 8.8% more expensive than Scranton, PA. This translates to spending an extra $659 per month.

What salary do I need in Austin, TX to live like I do in Scranton, PA?

If you earn $150,000 in Scranton, PA, you'd need approximately $157,913.364 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Scranton, PA and Austin, TX?

Housing in Austin, TX is 61.7% more expensive than in Scranton, PA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $954/month in Scranton, PA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Scranton, PA to Austin, TX?

Living in Austin, TX costs approximately $659 more per month than Scranton, PA, or $7913 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Scranton, PA vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

MoveNumbers

Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Scranton, PA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Newark, NJ area

Current salary in Scranton, PA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $659/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $157.9K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↑ 8.8%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$659

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$7.9K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Scranton, PA

Population:76K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$192K

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:109

Median Home:$558K

Scranton, PA

The Keystone State

76K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Pennsylvania, this city has a population of 76K residents.

Austin, TX

The Lone Star State

979K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Live music capital
•Major tech hub
•SXSW festival city

Major Industries

TechnologyMusic IndustryEducationGovernment

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Scranton, PA vs Austin, TX

Category	Scranton, PA	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,784/mo	$2,885/mo	↑ $1,101more	61.7%
🚗Transportation	$1,401/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $117less	8.4%
🛒Groceries	$1,029/mo	$959/mo	↓ $69.86less	6.8%
🏥Healthcare	$644/mo	$589/mo	↓ $55.31less	8.6%
📦Other	$1,776/mo	$1,741/mo	↓ $34.68less	2.0%
⚡All Utilities	$558/mo	$541/mo	↓ $16.69less	3.0%

🏠Housing

↑ 61.7%

Scranton, PA

$1,784

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$1,101

🚗Transportation

↓ 8.4%

Scranton, PA

$1,401

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$117

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 6.8%

Scranton, PA

$1,029

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$69.86

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 8.6%

Scranton, PA

$644

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$55.31

less

📦Other

↓ 2.0%

Scranton, PA

$1,776

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$34.68

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 3.0%

Scranton, PA

$558

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$16.69

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Scranton, PA: Scranton Earned Income Tax$5,100/yr (3.4%)

Austin, TX has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$659

To$1,585

↑ $926

1 Bed

From$782

To$1,685

↑ $903

2 Bed

From$954

To$1,995

↑ $1,041

3 Bed

From$1,241

To$2,525

↑ $1,284

Scranton, PAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,000–$1,090/mo

Austin, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,490–$2,350/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,191

Monthly in Scranton, PA

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$807

Difference

Home Values

Scranton

Austin

$192K

Median Value

$558K

↑ +5.7%

YoY Change

↓ -5%

↑ +59.6%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

$165K - $208K

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 190% more expensive than Scranton

Calculate payment - Scranton Calculate payment - Austin

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $4.6K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$384

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

3.1%

Rate difference

Scranton, PA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Pennsylvania State Tax

Effective: 3.1%

$4.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 27.7%

$41.6K

Take-Home Pay

$9,032/month

$108.4K

Austin, TX

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Texas State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

Additional Tax Information

Scranton, PA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.5%

Property Tax:1.4%

Austin, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.