Who Should / Shouldn’t Move to Scranton

Scranton is a strong fit for affordability-focused buyers and those connected to Geisinger's real healthcare network, seeking a genuine, honest post-industrial city with below-average current crime. It's a weaker fit for buyers prioritizing the lowest possible local income tax.

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Best fit: affordability-focused buyers and Geisinger-connected movers

Scranton's clearest case is for movers prioritizing genuinely affordable housing or with ties to Geisinger's real, substantial healthcare and academic-medicine presence.

Good fit: retirees and University of Scranton-connected movers

Retirees valuing deep healthcare access and below-average current crime, and those connected to the University of Scranton, have a real, practical case for the city.

Weaker fit: buyers prioritizing the lowest local income tax

Buyers whose top priority is the lowest possible combined local Earned Income Tax should weigh Scranton's real, notably elevated ~3.4% resident rate against this project's companion bethlehem.js record's meaningfully lower 1% combined rate.

Key takeaways

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Last reviewed: 2026-08-25. Independent research; not financial, tax, or legal advice -- confirm current figures with a local professional before making a decision.