Living in Scranton, PA offers a unique blend of historical significance, cultural richness, and urban convenience. Located in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Scranton is within a few hours' drive of both New York City and Philadelphia, making it an ideal location for those who want to enjoy a quieter lifestyle while having easy access to two of the largest cities on the East Coast. The city is known for its rich industrial history, vibrant arts scene, and strong sense of community.
Scranton’s dining scene is diverse, offering a range of options from classic American fare to international cuisine. The city’s downtown area is a hub of activity, featuring a variety of shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions like the Scranton Cultural Center and the Electric City Aquarium & Reptile Den. The annual La Festa Italiana is a highlight of the year, celebrating the city’s Italian-American heritage with food, music, and family-friendly activities.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Scranton provides plenty of opportunities for recreation. The city’s parks, including Nay Aug Park and McDade Park, offer scenic spots for picnicking, walking, and enjoying the natural beauty of the Pocono Mountains. The nearby Lackawanna River provides additional opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and exploring the great outdoors.
Scranton is also known for its strong sense of community and commitment to preserving its historical heritage. The city hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the Steamtown Marathon and the annual Christmas Parade, which bring residents together to celebrate and enjoy the community spirit. The city’s proximity to New York City and Philadelphia means that residents can easily access the amenities of major cities, including theaters, museums, and professional sports venues.
For those considering a move to Pennsylvania, Scranton offers a perfect blend of historical charm, cultural richness, and urban convenience. Whether you're drawn by its parks, cultural events, or easy access to New York and Philadelphia, living in Scranton, PA provides a fulfilling and dynamic lifestyle.
Amenities
Conveniently located, the area boasts a variety of amenities, including grocery stores, shopping, coffee shops and entertainment options all within walking distance.
Commute
The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.
Cost Of Living
Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.
Housing
Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.
Health & Safety
Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.
Nothing Found
None of the categories scored poorly, resulting in no identified cons for this area.
Scranton, Pennsylvania is a medium-sized city with a population of 76,997 people. In Scranton, there are 3,042 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (81% White). Given that fact, Scranton could be considered less diverse than other cities. Scranton is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 46% married, this city falls well below the national average. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Scranton is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 20 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a fulfilling experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Scranton, Pennsylvania. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. With useful information like crime, cost of living, education, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Scranton and in the areas around Scranton is a much easier task.
Scranton, PA receives 84/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #48 in Pennsylvania and #479 in the USA. Clearly, Scranton is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. Another exciting tidbit, is that Scranton ranks better than 90% of all US cities! There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. Scranton ranks well for cost of living (A+) and housing (B) There is at least one category that does not have great scores in Scranton. The following was graded with a less than perfect score: education (D) and employment (D-).
The mantra of real estate, "location, location, location," underscores the importance of where a property is situated, making it a pivotal factor in your quest for a new home. Fortunately, when you're living in Scranton, you'll discover an abundance of exceptional local amenities and lots of things to do. Among these are conveniently located grocery stores, charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and plenty of spacious parks. These local amenities contribute significantly to its overall appeal, ensuring that your daily needs are met and offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation. When considering your next move, the thriving local scene in Scranton undoubtedly enhances its desirability, affirming the significance of its prime location. A few of the enjoyable things to experience and sights to see are: Steamtown National Historic Site, Lackawanna County Coal Mine, and Houdini Museum.
A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Scranton has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Scranton. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Scranton are affordable. Median real estate prices in Scranton come in at $106,700, which is 36.4% lower than the Pennsylvania average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Scranton, the home price to income ratio is 2.6, which is 16.1% lower than the Pennsylvania average.
| Statistic | Scranton | Pennsylvania | National |
| Average one way commute | 20min | 26min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 73.2% | 76.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 13.5% | 8.5% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.8% | 5.6% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.3% | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 6.1% | 3.8% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.3% | 4.2% | 4.6% |
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