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. Pennsylvania has no state-level rent control, so the very low starting rents described above are a function of the local market rather than any legal ceiling.

Data last updated: 2026-04

Compare Apartments in Scranton

Enter your rental options below to see the true all-in monthly cost.

Renting in Scranton: Common Questions

What is the average rent in Scranton?
One-bedroom apartments in Scranton range from $850/month in Dunmore / South Scranton Adjacent to $950/month in Hill Section. Two-bedroom units range from $1,200 to $1,300/month. These are base rents — add fees, utilities, and amenity costs to get the true all-in monthly cost.
What utilities do I need to set up in Scranton?
In Scranton, electricity is provided by PPL Electric Utilities, water by Pennsylvania American Water, and common internet providers include Comcast Xfinity, Verizon, Breezeline. Ask the leasing office for the specific unit's average monthly bill rather than a city-wide figure — utility costs vary more by building age and insulation than by location within Scranton.
What neighborhoods are affordable in Scranton?
Dunmore / South Scranton Adjacent is the most affordable of the 3 Scranton neighborhoods covered here, at $850/month for a one-bedroom — $100 less than Hill Section, roughly an 11% gap. That swing is often bigger than any fee or amenity difference between two buildings in the same neighborhood, which is why comparing across neighborhoods matters as much as comparing within one.
Is Scranton expensive to rent in?
Across the 3 neighborhoods covered here, the average one-bedroom in Scranton runs about $900/month before fees, utilities, and amenities are added — and those add-ons are exactly what a bare average hides. 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. Run the specific units you are considering through RentCompare to see the true all-in monthly cost rather than relying on an area average.

Explore Other Pennsylvania Cities

AllentownErieHarrisburgLancasterPhiladelphiaPittsburghReading