Is Denver, CO cheaper than Scranton, PA?

Based on cost of living data, Denver, CO is 16.2% more expensive than Scranton, PA. This translates to spending an extra $1214 per month.

What salary do I need in Denver, CO to live like I do in Scranton, PA?

If you earn $150,000 in Scranton, PA, you'd need approximately $164,567.671 in Denver, CO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Scranton, PA and Denver, CO?

Housing in Denver, CO is 82.1% more expensive than in Scranton, PA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,190/month in Denver, CO compared to $954/month in Scranton, PA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Scranton, PA to Denver, CO?

Living in Denver, CO costs approximately $1214 more per month than Scranton, PA, or $14568 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Scranton, PA vs Denver, CO: 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 $1.2K/month more in Denver, CO

$150.0K in your current city equals $164.6K in Denver, CO

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

Overall Cost

↑ 16.2%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,214

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$14.6K

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

Denver, CO

Population:716K

Cost Index:116

Median Home:$513K

Scranton, PA

The Keystone State

76K

Population

State Tax

Yes

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

Denver, CO

The Centennial State

716K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Semi-arid

Notable Facts

•Mile-high city (5,280 ft)
•Outdoor recreation hub
•Major cannabis market

Major Industries

AerospaceTechnologyEnergyTourism

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Scranton, PA vs Denver, CO

Category	Scranton, PA	Denver, CO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,784/mo	$3,248/mo	↑ $1,465more	82.1%
🚗Transportation	$1,401/mo	$1,462/mo	↑ $60.58more	4.3%
⚡All Utilities	$558/mo	$519/mo	↓ $38.55less	6.9%
🏥Healthcare	$644/mo	$632/mo	↓ $11.94less	1.9%
📦Other	$1,776/mo	$1,774/mo	↓ $1.20less	0.1%
🛒Groceries	$1,029/mo	$1,029/mo	↑ $0.09more	0.0%

🏠Housing

↑ 82.1%

Scranton, PA

$1,784

Denver, CO

$3,248

Difference

$1,465

🚗Transportation

↑ 4.3%

Scranton, PA

$1,401

Denver, CO

$1,462

Difference

$60.58

⚡All Utilities

↓ 6.9%

Scranton, PA

$558

Denver, CO

$519

Difference

$38.55

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 1.9%

Scranton, PA

$644

Denver, CO

$632

Difference

$11.94

less

📦Other

↓ 0.1%

Scranton, PA

$1,776

Denver, CO

$1,774

Difference

$1.20

less

🛒Groceries

↑ 0.0%

Scranton, PA

$1,029

Denver, CO

$1,029

Difference

$0.09

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Denver, CO: Denver Head Tax ($5.75/mo, negligible)$69.00/yr (0.0%)

Net difference-$5,031/yr

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

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$659

To$1,720

↑ $1,061

1 Bed

From$782

To$1,840

↑ $1,058

2 Bed

From$954

To$2,190

↑ $1,236

3 Bed

From$1,241

To$2,870

↑ $1,629

Scranton, PAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,000–$1,090/mo

Denver, COZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,620–$2,540/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

$8,665

Monthly in Denver, CO

$1,474

Difference

Home Values

Scranton

Denver

$192K

Median Value

$513K

↑ +5.7%

YoY Change

↓ -4.2%

↑ +59.6%

5-Year Change

↑ +13%

$165K - $208K

Price Range

$352K - $933K

Homes in Denver are 167% more expensive than Scranton

Calculate payment - Scranton Calculate payment - Denver

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $2.0K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$166

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.3%

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

Denver, CO

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Colorado State Tax

Effective: 4.4%

$6.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.1%

$43.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,866/month

$106.4K

Additional Tax Information

Scranton, PA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.5%

Property Tax:1.4%

Denver, CO Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.8%

Property Tax:0.5%

💡 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.