What to know before you move: cost, market timing, who it fits.
If you're considering a move to Scranton, PA, the most important variables are the local housing market, the cost structure (taxes, insurance, utilities), and how well the city fits your day-to-day life. This page summarizes the housing market read; pair it with the cost of living page for the full picture.
Scranton is a city in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, with an estimated population of 75,905. It anchors the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre metro area. The median home value in Scranton is $191,597 as of 2026-04, down 0.5% over the last 12 months. Over the last five years, home values have averaged +7.7% annual growth (-2.5% from the 5-year peak). Rents in Scranton average $1,358 per month, up 5.2% year-over-year. The composite momentum score is 65 of 100 (Rising). The market is healthy with prices supported by underlying demand.
Quiet strength: prices near or at all-time highs (-2.5% from 5-year peak). Solid market for owner-occupiers; investors should underwrite conservatively given the elevated entry point.
Reasons people move here
- Healthy 5-year run: +7.7% annualized over 5 years, outpacing US inflation.
- Held the highs: currently -2.5% from the 5-year peak — this market refused to give back gains.
- Cheap entry point: $191,597 median home is well below the US median of $355k — room to grow without overpaying.
- Hot rental market: rents up 5.2% YoY — landlords have pricing power, supports new investment math.
Things to know first
- Local nuance: city-level data smooths over neighborhood differences. School zones, HOA rules, and street-level character matter — visit before deciding.
- Local nuance (school zones, neighborhood quality) varies block by block — visit before deciding.
More about Scranton
Sources: Zillow ZHVI (home values), Zillow ZORI (rents), US Census ACS + place population. Updated when source agencies publish revisions.