Johnstown, PA vs Scranton, PA: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Scranton, PA is 8.9% more expensive than Johnstown, PA (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Johnstown works out to about $81,700 in Scranton, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 58.2% more in Scranton. Goods are 0.0% higher and other services 0.0% higher.
- Typical asking rent is $1,362 a month in Scranton and $886 in Johnstown, $5,712 a year more in Scranton (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $234,000 in Scranton and $124,000 in Johnstown.
- The gap has widened since 2019, when Scranton was 6.7% more expensive than Johnstown.
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 58.2% higher in Scranton than in Johnstown
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Johnstown, PA
- Scranton, PA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Johnstown, PA | Scranton, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 85.9 | 93.6 |
| Goods | 100.7 | 100.7 |
| Housing (rents) | 42.3 | 67.0 |
| Utilities | 108.9 | 106.5 |
| Other services | 97.7 | 97.7 |
| Category | Johnstown | Scranton | Scranton vs Johnstown |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 85.9 | 93.6 | +8.9% |
| Goods | 100.7 | 100.7 | 0.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 42.3 | 67.0 | +58.2% |
| Utilities | 108.9 | 106.5 | −2.1% |
| Other services | 97.7 | 97.7 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $886 | $1,362 | +53.7% |
| Typical home value | $124,000 | $234,000 | +88.2% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Johnstown | $75,000 | $81,700 | +8.9% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Johnstown and Scranton has widened since 2008: 4.3 points then, 7.6 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Johnstown, PA
- Scranton, PA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Johnstown, PA | Scranton, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 90.7 | 95.1 |
| 2009 | 90.9 | 96.0 |
| 2010 | 90.5 | 94.1 |
| 2011 | 88.9 | 94.7 |
| 2012 | 86.8 | 94.0 |
| 2013 | 88.6 | 94.6 |
| 2014 | 89.1 | 91.5 |
| 2015 | 88.6 | 95.5 |
| 2016 | 88.7 | 94.8 |
| 2017 | 90.8 | 95.2 |
| 2018 | 89.3 | 92.9 |
| 2019 | 87.1 | 92.9 |
| 2020 | 87.6 | 93.1 |
| 2021 | 86.2 | 93.1 |
| 2022 | 87.4 | 91.9 |
| 2023 | 88.5 | 93.4 |
| 2024 | 85.9 | 93.6 |
Goods
- Johnstown, PA
- Scranton, PA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Johnstown, PA | Scranton, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 101.0 | 101.0 |
| 2009 | 101.1 | 101.1 |
| 2010 | 98.0 | 98.0 |
| 2011 | 97.8 | 97.8 |
| 2012 | 97.6 | 97.6 |
| 2013 | 97.8 | 97.8 |
| 2014 | 97.9 | 97.9 |
| 2015 | 99.3 | 99.3 |
| 2016 | 98.4 | 98.4 |
| 2017 | 99.4 | 99.4 |
| 2018 | 100.4 | 100.4 |
| 2019 | 97.1 | 97.1 |
| 2020 | 98.8 | 98.8 |
| 2021 | 95.7 | 95.7 |
| 2022 | 97.6 | 97.6 |
| 2023 | 98.3 | 98.3 |
| 2024 | 100.7 | 100.7 |
Housing (rents)
- Johnstown, PA
- Scranton, PA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Johnstown, PA | Scranton, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 51.0 | 66.5 |
| 2009 | 48.9 | 69.3 |
| 2010 | 52.9 | 67.9 |
| 2011 | 51.1 | 72.4 |
| 2012 | 47.9 | 70.9 |
| 2013 | 44.6 | 69.3 |
| 2014 | 52.8 | 62.6 |
| 2015 | 47.6 | 73.6 |
| 2016 | 47.0 | 70.9 |
| 2017 | 51.9 | 66.5 |
| 2018 | 52.6 | 63.2 |
| 2019 | 45.5 | 66.0 |
| 2020 | 48.7 | 67.0 |
| 2021 | 43.8 | 68.5 |
| 2022 | 51.1 | 65.0 |
| 2023 | 47.2 | 68.9 |
| 2024 | 42.3 | 67.0 |
Utilities
- Johnstown, PA
- Scranton, PA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Johnstown, PA | Scranton, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 114.3 | 113.1 |
| 2009 | 117.7 | 116.8 |
| 2010 | 110.4 | 110.2 |
| 2011 | 112.5 | 112.3 |
| 2012 | 106.2 | 106.4 |
| 2013 | 105.8 | 106.0 |
| 2014 | 104.4 | 104.5 |
| 2015 | 103.5 | 103.9 |
| 2016 | 107.1 | 106.8 |
| 2017 | 112.1 | 111.4 |
| 2018 | 116.1 | 115.1 |
| 2019 | 117.5 | 115.8 |
| 2020 | 113.4 | 111.5 |
| 2021 | 112.7 | 110.3 |
| 2022 | 112.2 | 109.8 |
| 2023 | 118.4 | 116.4 |
| 2024 | 108.9 | 106.5 |
Other services
- Johnstown, PA
- Scranton, PA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Johnstown, PA | Scranton, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 101.1 | 101.1 |
| 2009 | 101.3 | 101.3 |
| 2010 | 99.9 | 99.9 |
| 2011 | 98.8 | 98.8 |
| 2012 | 98.8 | 98.8 |
| 2013 | 101.4 | 101.4 |
| 2014 | 97.8 | 97.8 |
| 2015 | 100.4 | 100.4 |
| 2016 | 101.0 | 101.0 |
| 2017 | 102.5 | 102.5 |
| 2018 | 98.0 | 98.0 |
| 2019 | 98.8 | 98.8 |
| 2020 | 99.2 | 99.2 |
| 2021 | 100.0 | 100.0 |
| 2022 | 96.6 | 96.6 |
| 2023 | 98.6 | 98.6 |
| 2024 | 97.7 | 97.7 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,362 in Scranton vs $886 in Johnstown
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Johnstown, PA
- Scranton, PA
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Johnstown, PA | Scranton, PA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | – | $734 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | – | $740 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | – | $748 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | – | $759 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | – | $749 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | – | $766 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | – | $773 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | – | $764 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | – | $776 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | – | $783 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | – | $798 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | – | $812 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | – | $799 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $569 | $822 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $569 | $832 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $566 | $842 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $591 | $848 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $581 | $876 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $605 | $872 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $599 | $874 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $617 | $880 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $614 | $917 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $625 | $934 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $645 | $963 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $660 | $997 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $665 | $1,042 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $684 | $1,069 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $684 | $1,090 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $705 | $1,131 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $707 | $1,153 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $734 | $1,180 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $749 | $1,171 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $751 | $1,180 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $752 | $1,205 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $772 | $1,217 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $795 | $1,223 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $784 | $1,238 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $797 | $1,251 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $815 | $1,273 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $835 | $1,280 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $837 | $1,296 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $834 | $1,296 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $860 | $1,310 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $861 | $1,320 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $891 | $1,345 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $894 | $1,347 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $886 | $1,362 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $234,000 in Scranton vs $124,000 in Johnstown
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Johnstown, PA
- Scranton, PA
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Johnstown, PA | Scranton, PA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $111K | $125K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $111K | $127K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $113K | $128K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $113K | $130K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $110K | $131K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $111K | $129K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $112K | $129K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $109K | $129K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $110K | $128K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $110K | $128K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $111K | $129K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $110K | $133K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $112K | $137K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $117K | $139K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $116K | $139K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $116K | $138K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $118K | $140K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $125K | $142K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $126K | $145K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $130K | $147K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $131K | $150K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $133K | $152K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $135K | $154K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $138K | $163K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $137K | $171K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $137K | $176K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $143K | $181K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $152K | $185K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $154K | $191K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $151K | $196K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $147K | $195K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $147K | $194K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $152K | $199K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $147K | $200K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $137K | $203K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $129K | $205K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $128K | $210K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $128K | $216K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $131K | $217K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $131K | $220K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $129K | $225K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $125K | $228K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $120K | $229K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $121K | $228K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $124K | $230K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $125K | $231K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $124K | $234K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.