Explore Cities/Compare Cities/Scranton vs Waco

Scranton vs Waco

Side-by-side comparison for digital nomads

Scranton 11% cheaper Moderate / Moderate

Scranton

Nicholas Bukofski/Unsplash

Waco

Fallon Michael/Unsplash

Nomad Cost

$3,061

Scranton

$3,448

Waco

Internet

279

Mbps

279

Mbps

Safety

Moderate

Scranton

Moderate

Waco

Air Quality

5/5

Scranton

5/5

Waco

Healthcare

Low

Scranton

Low

Waco

Population

76.7k

Scranton

134.4k

Waco

Scranton and Waco are both in United States, making this one of the most common comparisons for digital nomads planning a base in the region. This guide breaks down the key differences across cost, internet, safety, weather, and quality of life.

Cost of Living

Scranton edges ahead on affordability at $3061/mo compared to Waco's $3448/mo — a 11% gap that matters over time.

For families, Scranton costs $5258.0625/mo compared to Waco's $4728.025000000001/mo.

Internet & Infrastructure

Internet speeds are nearly identical — Scranton at 279 Mbps and Waco at 279 Mbps. Both handle video calls and uploads well.

Quality of Life

Both Scranton and Waco share the same safety rating — travelers can feel equally comfortable in either city.

Healthcare quality is rated similarly in both Scranton and Waco.

Monthly Weather Comparison

The best time to visit Scranton is September (around 25 degrees, 0mm rain, score 399), while Waco peaks in September (34 degrees, 0mm rain, score 394). Timing your stay around these months can make a big difference in your experience.

Cost of Living

ScrantonWaco

Nomad$3,061/mo$3,448/mo

Expat$2,149/mo$2,387/mo

Local$1,502/mo$1,351/mo

Family$5,258/mo$4,728/mo

Internet & Infrastructure

ScrantonWaco

City Speed

279 Mbps

Country Speed279 Mbps279 Mbps

Environment & Health

ScrantonWaco

Air Quality Score5/55/5

PollutionLowModerate

ClimateModerateHigh

Humidity8139

Quality of Life

ScrantonWaco

SafetyModerateModerate

HealthcareLowLow

Monthly Weather Comparison

Scranton

Waco

Jan

0°

0mm325

12°

0mm344

Feb

2°

0mm339

19°

0mm374

Mar

8°

0mm344

22°

0mm372

Apr

13°

1mm333

28°

0mm370

May

23°

0mm377

33°

2mm322

Jun

29°

0mm394

37°

0mm361

Jul

32°

0mm397

38°

0mm342

Aug

28°

1mm371

40°

0mm334

Sep

25°

0mm399

34°

0mm394

Oct

16°

0mm359

31°

0mm394

Nov

8°

0mm349

24°

0mm394

Dec

-1°

0mm325

16°

0mm354

Who Should Choose Scranton?

Excellent for video calls and large uploads with 279 Mbps
Clean air with a 5/5 air quality score
Smaller city feel with 76.7k residents
Peak season in September — 25 degrees, score 399

Who Should Choose Waco?

Excellent for video calls and large uploads with 279 Mbps
Clean air with a 5/5 air quality score
Smaller city feel with 134.4k residents
Peak season in September — 34 degrees, score 394

Overall Verdict

The data favors Scranton as the more well-rounded choice. At $3061/mo versus Waco's $3448/mo, that is a 11% saving that adds up significantly on an extended stay.

Granular Price Comparison

Scranton Waco

ItemScrantonWacoDiff

🍽️Restaurants8 items

Meal, inexpensive restaurant—$15

—

Meal for 2, mid-range (3-course)—$51

—

McMeal or equivalent combo$8$7

13%

Cappuccino (regular)$4.6$4.95

Domestic beer (0.5L draught)—$4.5

—

Imported beer (0.33L bottle)$4$5.25

24%

Coke/Pepsi (0.33L)$1.5$2.25

33%

Water (0.33L)$1.25$1.33

🛒Markets19 items

Milk (1L)$0.92$0.94

White bread (500g)$2.41$2.65

White rice (1kg)$3.16$2.92

Eggs (12)$2.64$3.4

22%

Chicken fillets (1kg)$11.02$15.48

29%

Beef round (1kg)$6.37$11.67

45%

Local cheese (1kg)$14.23$10.39

27%

Apples (1kg)$6$3.69

39%

Bananas (1kg)$1.96$1.43

27%

Oranges (1kg)$8.82$3.67

58%

Tomatoes (1kg)$3.23$3.46

Potatoes (1kg)$2.46$3.12

21%

Onions (1kg)$2.09$1.87

11%

Lettuce (1 head)$1.66$1.42

14%

Water (1.5L bottle)$0.89$2.32

62%

Wine, mid-range bottle$11$13.5

19%

Domestic beer (0.5L bottle)—$2.77

—

Imported beer (0.33L bottle)$4.25$3.61

15%

Cigarettes (pack of 20)$8.86$7.54

15%

🚌Transport8 items

One-way local transport ticket$1.75$2

13%

Monthly transport pass$60—

—

Taxi start (normal tariff)$3$2.12

29%

Taxi per 1km$1.94$1.12

42%

Taxi 1hr waiting$12$15

20%

Gasoline (1L)$1.28$1.11

13%

Volkswagen Golf (new)$19,000$26,000

27%

Toyota Corolla (new)$26,000$25,833.33

⚡Utilities3 items

Utilities, 85m² apartment/mo$185.51$213.85

13%

Internet 60+ Mbps/mo$85$58.8

31%

Mobile prepaid per minute$0.1$0.26

62%

🏋️Sport & Leisure2 items

Fitness club, monthly$28$35

20%

Cinema, 1 ticket$11$9

18%

👶Childcare2 items

Preschool, full-day private/mo$1,800$930

48%

International primary school/yr$7,800$14,997.5

48%

👗Clothing4 items

Jeans (Levi's 501 or similar)$37.49$44

15%

Summer dress (chain store)$41.33$40

Nike running shoes (mid-range)$76.33$58.33

24%

Men's leather business shoes$75$100

25%

🏠Rent4 items

1-bedroom apartment, city centre$1,550$1,050

32%

1-bedroom apartment, outside centre$1,000$958.33

3-bedroom apartment, city centre$2,500$1,866.67

25%

3-bedroom apartment, outside centre$1,500$2,000

25%

🏗️Buy2 items

Price per m², city centre—$2,045.14

—

Price per m², outside centre$1,076.39$1,345.49

20%

💰Finance2 items

Average monthly net salary$2,178$2,324

Mortgage interest rate (20yr fixed)$4.45$5.7

22%

Lower is better for all cost items.

Data from Open-Meteo (weather) and global internet speed rankings. Updated monthly.

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