True Cost of Renting in Scranton, PA
Scranton is best known as Dunder Mifflin's fictional home (The Office) and as one of the most affordable mid-sized cities in the Northeast. The Electric City Trolley Museum celebrates the city's transit heritage. PPL Electric serves the area. I-81 provides a 2-hour drive to NYC and a 2.5-hour drive to Philadelphia, making Scranton viable for commuters who can work remotely most days.
Neighborhoods & Average Rents
Hill Section
- Studio:
- $750/mo
- 1 Bed:
- $950/mo
- 2 Bed:
- $1,300/mo
Scranton's most historic residential neighborhood; Victorian homes and apartment buildings. University of Scranton is adjacent. PPL Electric. Mix of student and non-student renters. Walkable to the Downtown core. Strong Catholic university influence.
Downtown Scranton / Courthouse Square
- Studio:
- $700/mo
- 1 Bed:
- $900/mo
- 2 Bed:
- $1,300/mo
City center with the Lackawanna County Courthouse and government offices; new apartment development in historic commercial buildings. COLTS bus service. Access to Steamtown National Historic Site and Electric City Trolley Museum.
Dunmore / South Scranton Adjacent
- 1 Bed:
- $850/mo
- 2 Bed:
- $1,200/mo
Adjacent suburban areas with apartment complexes and rental homes; safer residential character than some Downtown blocks. Car required. I-81 access. Lower rents than Hill Section.
Utility Providers
- Electric
- PPL Electric Utilities
- Water
- Pennsylvania American Water
- Internet
- Comcast Xfinity, Verizon, Breezeline
Commute & Transportation
Scranton has limited transit options — car ownership is essentially required. I-81 connects south to I-476 (Northeast Extension of PA Turnpike) toward Philadelphia, and north toward Syracuse, NY. I-84 is accessible 30 miles east, connecting to the NYC Metro area (2 hours via I-80 or Route 46). Major employers: Geisinger Community Medical Center, Regional Hospital of Scranton, Lackawanna College, University of Scranton, and a growing distribution and logistics sector along I-81.
Rental Market Overview
Scranton is genuinely among the most affordable cities in the Northeast with Internet access fast enough for remote work and I-81 highway access within 2 hours of NYC. PPL Electric rates are moderate. The University of Scranton enrollment creates consistent rental demand near the Hill Section. Work-from-home migration has added demand since 2020, pushing rents up from ultra-low levels, but they remain extremely affordable. Renters insurance averages $12–16/month.
Data last updated: 2026-04
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