Living in Scranton, Pennsylvania
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Scranton · Census data 2020–2024
Scranton has 76,033 residents with a median age of 37.2. The median household income is $50,739 (35% lower than the Pennsylvania median), the median home value is $158,100, the median rent is $1,048/month.
Scranton at a glance
- Population
- 76,033
- Median age
- 37.2State: 40.9
- Median household income
- $50,739State: $77,971
- Median home value
- $158,100State: $254,500
- Median rent
- $1,048/moState: $1,209
- Homeowners
- 49.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 23.1%
- Average commute
- 19 min
Is Scranton a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 38% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 35% lower than the Pennsylvania median; unemployment of 5.4%; a poverty rate of 23%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Scranton
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Scranton the median home value is $158,100, 52% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,048 per month, which is 31.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,446 a month in housing costs.
Scranton median household income
The median household income in Scranton is $50,739 and the income per person is $28,347. 23% of residents live below the poverty line (Pennsylvania: 11.7%).
Housing in Scranton: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 35,512
- Owner-occupied
- 49.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 50.1%
- Vacant
- 14.8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1938
- Average household size
- 2.32
Scranton demographics
- Population
- 76,033
- Median age
- 37.2
- Under 18
- 21.2%
- 65 and older
- 19%
- Households
- 30,247
- Foreign-born
- 12.6%
- Veterans
- 5.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Scranton ›
Education in Scranton
23.1% of adults 25 and older in Scranton have a bachelor's degree or higher (Pennsylvania: 35.2%), and 9.2% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Scranton
- Unemployment rate
- 5.4%State: 5.3%
- Average commute
- 19 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 9%
- Drive alone
- 70.6%
- Public transit
- 1.2%
- Walk to work
- 4.8%
- Homes with broadband
- 84.1%
Scranton vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scranton | 76,033 | $50,739 | $158,100 | $1,048 |
| Taylor | 6,265 | $71,599 | $182,500 | $1,085 |
| Dunmore | 14,181 | $71,302 | $196,100 | $928 |
| Moosic | 5,973 | $80,187 | $250,900 | $1,329 |
| Throop | 4,081 | $57,462 | $165,400 | $983 |
| Old Forge | 8,573 | $71,812 | $174,400 | $859 |
| Dickson City | 6,023 | $59,963 | $192,300 | $997 |
| Roaring Brook | 2,250 | $127,500 | $308,900 | $1,488 |
| Ransom | 1,297 | $59,886 | $256,900 | $690 |
More for people moving to Scranton
Scranton ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Scranton: FAQ
What is the median household income in Scranton, PA?
The median household income in Scranton is $50,739, 35% lower than the Pennsylvania median of $77,971 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Scranton?
The median home value in Scranton is $158,100, compared with $254,500 in Pennsylvania.
How much is rent in Scranton?
The median gross rent in Scranton is $1,048 per month, about 31.4% of household income.
Is Scranton, PA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 38% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes. Minuses: median household income 35% lower than the Pennsylvania median; unemployment of 5.4%; a poverty rate of 23%.
What is the median age in Scranton?
The median age in Scranton is 37.2 years (Pennsylvania: 40.9).
How long is the commute in Scranton?
The average commute to work in Scranton is 19 minutes; 9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Scranton?
The unemployment rate in Scranton is 5.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Scranton?
23.1% of adults in Scranton have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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