Living in Scranton, PA
Scranton is the 512th-largest city in the US, home to about 76,000 people in 2025. Its population has been roughly flat since 2020. Prices across the metro area run below the national average (93.6 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 75,514-1.1% since 2020
- Median home value
- $158,1003.1 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,048/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $50,739median, per year
- Price level
- 93.6US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 36° / 85°lows 20° / 63°
- Average commute
- 19 min9% work from home
- State income tax
- 3.07%top rate, flat
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County: Lackawanna County
Time zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 in summer)
Elevation: about 755 ft
Metro area: Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
Cost of living in Scranton
The median home in Scranton is worth $158,100 and the median household earns $50,739 a year, so a typical home costs about 3.1 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,048 a month, about 25% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area at 93.6, with housing at 67.0 and goods at 100.7 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $70,200 here. Pennsylvania taxes wages at a top rate of 3.07% (a flat rate). The average combined state and local sales tax in Pennsylvania is 6.34%.
What would my salary be worth in Scranton?
Scranton weather
Average highs run from 36°F in January to 85°F in July, and January nights average 20°F. It gets 39 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 45 inches of snow. Nights drop below freezing about 122 times a year. The most comfortable months are May to October.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Scranton
People and work
The median resident is 37.2 years old, and 23% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 50% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 19 minutes; 9% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 37.2327th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 23%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 50%of households
- People per sq mile
- 2,98425.3 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 1%5% walk, 0.1% bike
- Unemployment
- 5.4%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 23%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1938median year
Who moves to Scranton, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Kings County, NY, New York (Queens County) and Philadelphia (Philadelphia County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Philadelphia (Philadelphia County), Kings County, NY and Cumberland County, PA. See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
FEMA rating for Lackawanna County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: inland flooding, winter weather, lightning, cold wave.
Home prices
+7.5% in a year
Up 57% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
72% good days
3 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Scranton
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- University of Scranton in Scranton
- Luzerne County Community College 23 miles
- Wilkes University 16 miles
- Marywood University 2 miles
- King's College 16 miles
- Misericordia University 17 miles
- Keystone College 12 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Scranton
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport AVP | 6 mi | 219,572 |
| Lehigh Valley International Airport ABE | 54 mi | 447,899 |
| New York Stewart International Airport SWF | 81 mi | 143,310 |
| Elmira Corning Regional Airport ELM | 82 mi | 85,696 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Scranton
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Scranton | in town | 3,554 | $32,132 | 82% |
| Luzerne County Community College | 23 mi | 3,317 | $10,437 | 21% |
| Wilkes University | 16 mi | 1,985 | $25,799 | 59% |
| Marywood University | 2 mi | 1,784 | $21,059 | 68% |
| Misericordia University | 17 mi | 1,672 | $40,348 | 73% |
| King's College | 16 mi | 1,484 | $21,439 | 61% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Scranton
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before April 23, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around October 7 and the first frost comes around October 20.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Wilkes-Barre Intl. Airport, PA, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Scranton.
Wildfire smoke in Scranton
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Scranton on about 108 days a year, including about 23 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Scranton
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 30,247 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Scranton
Downtown Scranton is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scranton School District | Pre-K to 12 | 9,237 | 15 | 13.0 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Wilkes-Barre Area School District (8,228 students), Abington Heights School District (3,403 students), Pittston Area School District (3,272 students), North Pocono School District (2,879 students), Valley View School District (2,383 students), Tunkhannock Area School District (1,989 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Scranton's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Scranton's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Akron, OH87% matchCompare
- Parma, OH85% matchCompare
- Fort Wayne, IN85% matchCompare
- South Bend, IN82% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Scranton
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near Scranton
- Montage Mountain 4 miles
- Jack Frost Ski Resort 21 miles
- Elk Mountain Ski Area 22 miles
- Camelback Mountain Resort 29 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Scranton
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Homes are affordable for locals: the median home costs 3.1 years of median household income, lower than in three quarters of the cities we cover.
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 6% below the US average (BEA).
- Data Commutes are short: 19 minutes each way on average.
Cons
- Data Winters are snowy: about 45 inches a year.
- Data Poverty is high: 23% of residents live below the poverty line.
Scranton report card from locals
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Scranton through locals' eyes
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Cities near Scranton
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bethlehem, PA | 54 mi | 79,644 | $260,400 | 100.0 | Compare |
| Allentown, PA | 57 mi | 126,044 | $206,600 | 100.0 | Compare |
| Reading, PA | 75 mi | 95,832 | $121,300 | 97.1 | Compare |
| Ithaca, NY | 83 mi | 33,632 | $342,700 | 103.3 | Compare |
| Paterson, NJ | 85 mi | 161,793 | $360,100 | 112.6 | Compare |
| Clifton, NJ | 87 mi | 91,127 | $461,900 | 112.6 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Scranton with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Scranton a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show prices below the national average, homes that cost under four years of median income, 6 comfortable months a year, short commutes; the trade-offs are heavy snow. Compare Scranton side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Scranton?
The Census Bureau estimates Scranton had 75,514 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 76,333 in April 2020 (-1.1%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Scranton?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $70,200 in the Scranton area. The median household here earns $50,739.
When is the best time to visit Scranton?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, May to October are the most comfortable months. July averages 85°F and January 36°F for daytime highs.
What county is Scranton in?
Scranton is in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Scranton in?
Scranton is on Eastern Time (UTC-5, or UTC-4 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Scranton?
About 755 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Pennsylvania have a state income tax?
Yes. Pennsylvania has a flat income tax with a top rate of 3.07% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Scranton. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Wilkes-Barre Intl. Airport, PA station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.