Scranton--Wilkes-Barre and El Paso receive effectively the same standardized Area Score. Which fits you better depends on which dimensions you weight — the differences below are where they actually diverge.
Signals
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre
El Paso
Opportunity
56 · Top 48%
vs47 · Bottom 31%
Growth
41 · Bottom 35%
vs54 · Top 44%
Climate
63 · Bottom 41%
vs68 · Top 47%
Physical resilience
68 · Top 32%
vs66 · Top 35%
Housing affordability
99 · Top 32%
vs91 · Bottom 41%
Access
54 · Bottom 16%
vs54 · Bottom 16%
Economic stability
46 · Bottom 43%
vs50 · Bottom 49%
Measured values
| Metric | Scranton--Wilkes-Barre | El Paso | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,788 | 874,182 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $65,158 | $59,751 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $36,939 | $28,456 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 326/sq mi | 157/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $187,200 | $180,200 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,003 | $1,079 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 67.4% | 64.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.7% | 4.9% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | 2.5% | -0.4% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.2% | 25.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 14.8% | 18.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 597 | 2,032 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 1.0 | 2.3 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -6.4% | -7.3% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 85°F | 94°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 20°F | 26°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 38.7" | 11.2" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 77 mi | 74 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 24.0 min | 25.5 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 42.1 | 33.6 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
El Paso
Elevated or high exposure: hail.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre
61
Your Score
63
Area Score
El Paso
61
Your Score
62
Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA Metro Area · El Paso, TX Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology