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Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA

Cost of living in Lackawanna County, PA

Part of the Scranton Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,935/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 215,834 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $928 32%
Federal tax $502 17%
Healthcare $480 16%
Groceries $341 12%
Transport $320 11%
Energy $205 7%
State tax $104 4%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Lackawanna County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$779
per month
1 bedroom
$928
per month
2 bedroom
$1,123
per month
3 bedroom
$1,462
per month
4 bedroom
$1,596
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Lackawanna County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$64,691
per year
Individual earnings
$40,779
per year
Per capita
$36,217
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Lackawanna County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$189,900
Annual property tax
$2,910

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Lackawanna County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$143
per month · 17.9¢/kWh
Natural gas
$62
per month
Annual total
$2,460
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Lackawanna County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
4.7%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Lackawanna County

State and local tax rates for Pennsylvania.

State income tax
3.1%
Flat rate
State sales tax
6.0%
Combined sales tax
6.3%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Lackawanna County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
21.2 min
Drive alone
75.9%
Public transit
0.8%
Work from home
9.5%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Lackawanna County

What it costs to live in Lackawanna County each month.

Single person
$2,935
per month
  • Rent $928
  • Energy $205
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $341
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $502
  • State tax $104
Couple
$4,178
per month
  • Rent $1,123
  • Energy $246
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $565
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $729
  • State tax $166
Family
$6,667
per month
  • Rent $1,462
  • Energy $308
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $857
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $729
  • State tax $166

Frequently asked questions about Lackawanna County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Lackawanna County?

In Lackawanna County, PA, a one-bedroom apartment averages $928 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,123 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,462 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Lackawanna County?

In Lackawanna County, PA, the average household income is $64,691 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $40,779 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Lackawanna County?

The estimated cost of living in Lackawanna County, PA is approximately $2,935 per month for a single person, $4,178 for a couple, $6,667 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Lackawanna County?

The combined sales tax rate in Lackawanna County, PA is 6.34%, which includes the Pennsylvania state rate of 6.00% plus an average local rate of 0.34%.

Is Lackawanna County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Lackawanna County, PA would need approximately $2,935 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $64,691 per year ($5,391 per month). Lackawanna County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Lackawanna County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Lackawanna County, PA is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 4.7% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Lackawanna County?

The average home value in Lackawanna County, PA is $189,900, with average annual property taxes of $2,910, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Lackawanna County compare to other areas?

You can compare Lackawanna County, PA with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Lackawanna County is in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area.

Other counties in Pennsylvania

Browse the full list of counties in Pennsylvania, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Pennsylvania

Compare Lackawanna County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources