Is Charlotte, NC cheaper than Scranton, PA?

Based on cost of living data, Charlotte, NC is 2.5% more expensive than Scranton, PA. This translates to spending an extra $184 per month.

What salary do I need in Charlotte, NC to live like I do in Scranton, PA?

If you earn $150,000 in Scranton, PA, you'd need approximately $152,209.673 in Charlotte, NC to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Scranton, PA and Charlotte, NC?

Housing in Charlotte, NC is 38.4% more expensive than in Scranton, PA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,870/month in Charlotte, NC compared to $954/month in Scranton, PA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Scranton, PA to Charlotte, NC?

Living in Charlotte, NC costs approximately $184 more per month than Scranton, PA, or $2210 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Scranton, PA vs Charlotte, NC: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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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 $184/month more in Charlotte, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $152.2K in Charlotte, NC

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

Overall Cost

↑ 2.5%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$184

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$2.2K

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

Charlotte, NC

Population:875K

Cost Index:102

Median Home:$399K

Scranton, PA

The Keystone State

76K

Population

State Tax

Yes

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

Charlotte, NC

The Tar Heel State

875K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Major banking center
•NASCAR headquarters
•Queen City

Major Industries

FinanceTechnologyEnergyMotorsports

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Scranton, PA vs Charlotte, NC

Category	Scranton, PA	Charlotte, NC	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,784/mo	$2,469/mo	↑ $685more	38.4%
🚗Transportation	$1,401/mo	$1,202/mo	↓ $199less	14.2%
📦Other	$1,776/mo	$1,707/mo	↓ $68.16less	3.8%
🛒Groceries	$1,029/mo	$989/mo	↓ $39.88less	3.9%
⚡All Utilities	$558/mo	$519/mo	↓ $38.55less	6.9%
🏥Healthcare	$644/mo	$638/mo	↓ $5.75less	0.9%

🏠Housing

↑ 38.4%

Scranton, PA

$1,784

Charlotte, NC

$2,469

Difference

$685

🚗Transportation

↓ 14.2%

Scranton, PA

$1,401

Charlotte, NC

$1,202

Difference

$199

less

📦Other

↓ 3.8%

Scranton, PA

$1,776

Charlotte, NC

$1,707

Difference

$68.16

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 3.9%

Scranton, PA

$1,029

Charlotte, NC

$989

Difference

$39.88

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 6.9%

Scranton, PA

$558

Charlotte, NC

$519

Difference

$38.55

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 0.9%

Scranton, PA

$644

Charlotte, NC

$638

Difference

$5.75

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Charlotte, NC 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$1,630

↑ $971

1 Bed

From$782

To$1,710

↑ $928

2 Bed

From$954

To$1,870

↑ $916

3 Bed

From$1,241

To$2,300

↑ $1,059

Scranton, PAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,000–$1,090/mo

Charlotte, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,340–$2,310/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

$7,525

Monthly in Charlotte, NC

$334

Difference

Home Values

Scranton

Charlotte

$192K

Median Value

$399K

↑ +5.7%

YoY Change

↓ -1.1%

↑ +59.6%

5-Year Change

↑ +40.8%

$165K - $208K

Price Range

$293K - $1.57M

Homes in Charlotte are 107% more expensive than Scranton

Calculate payment - Scranton Calculate payment - Charlotte

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $2.5K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$210

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.7%

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

Charlotte, NC

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

North Carolina State Tax

Effective: 4.8%

$7.1K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.4%

$44.1K

Take-Home Pay

$8,822/month

$105.9K

Additional Tax Information

Scranton, PA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.5%

Property Tax:1.4%

Charlotte, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 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.