Wilkes-Barre and Scranton 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
Wilkes-Barre
Scranton
Opportunity
44 · Bottom 25%
vs49 · Bottom 36%
Growth
57 · Top 38%
vs45 · Bottom 40%
Climate
63 · Bottom 29%
vs63 · Bottom 29%
Physical resilience
73 · Top 33%
vs64 · Top 44%
Housing affordability
88 · Top 37%
vs83 · Top 46%
Schools
17 · Bottom 7%
vs29 · Bottom 21%
Access
52 · Bottom 4%
vs52 · Bottom 4%
Economic stability
30 · Bottom 7%
vs28 · Bottom 5%
Measured values
| Metric | Wilkes-Barre | Scranton | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,423 | 76,033 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $48,515 | $50,739 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $25,979 | $28,347 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 6,487/sq mi | 3,004/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $117,200 | $158,100 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $946 | $1,048 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 51.2% | 49.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 6.0% | 5.1% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | 2.6% | 2.5% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.5% | 23.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 23.1% | 23.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 6 | 4 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 0.1 | 0.1 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 500.0% | 100.0% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 85°F | 85°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 20°F | 20°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 38.7" | 38.7" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 82 mi | 81 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 21.9 min | 20.7 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 34.7 | 37.2 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 11 | 17 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 17.98 | 12.97 | 2024-25 school year |
| Math proficiency | 13.1% | 12.5% | 2019-20 school year |
| Reading proficiency | 30.3% | 33.4% | 2019-20 school 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
Wilkes-Barre
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Scranton
Elevated or high exposure: inland flooding.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Wilkes-Barre
53
Your Score
55
Area Score
Scranton
52
Your Score
54
Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: Wilkes-Barre, PA · Scranton, PA · How this is calculated: methodology