Salary Needed to Live in Scranton as a Couple
A couple sharing expenses without children needs approximately $67,800/year to live comfortably in Scranton, PA, including 12% savings.
Direct Answer
A couple (no kids) needs about $67,800/year to live comfortably in Scranton, PA. The bare-minimum salary is $56,500/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 12% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,945.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,390/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $5,650/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$67,800
with 12% savings
Bare Minimum
$56,500
$4,708/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,390
25% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Couple in Scranton
| Expense | Scranton | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2BR Apartment Rent | $891 | $1,641 | -46% |
| Groceries | $362 | $320 | +13% |
| Utilities | $201 | $225 | -11% |
| Transportation | $270 | $421 | -36% |
| Car Insurance | $174 | $229 | -24% |
| Health Insurance | $662 | $690 | -4% |
| Internet | $56 | $65 | -14% |
| Phone (x2) | $120 | $140 | -14% |
| Dining & Social | $387 | $450 | -14% |
| Entertainment | $155 | $180 | -14% |
| Personal Care (x2) | $112 | $130 | -14% |
| Total Monthly | $3,390 | $4,491 | -25% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,390
Target savings (12%):$555/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,945
Effective tax rate:28%
Gross annual salary needed:$67,800
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$891
1-2BR Apartment rent is 26% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
28%
Estimated federal plus PA state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
12%
$555/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
86/100
Scranton is below the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby northeast Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep 1-2br apartment housing near $891/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $830/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone (x2).
- Use $56,500/year as the survival floor and $67,800/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Scranton
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a couple (no kids) need in Scranton?
A couple (no kids) needs approximately $67,800/year ($5,650/month gross) to live comfortably in Scranton with a 12% savings rate.
How much is rent for a couple (no kids) in Scranton?
A 1-2br apartment in Scranton costs approximately $891/month, which is the largest single expense at 26% of the total budget.
Is Scranton affordable for a couple (no kids)?
Yes, Scranton is 25% more affordable than the national average for a couple (no kids).