Moving to or from Scranton?
Joe Biden's hometown and Dunder Mifflin's fictional one — a former anthracite-coal capital in the Lackawanna Valley that gave America its first electric streetcar, now famous as the setting of 'The Office' and Biden's Northeastern Pennsylvania roots.
- 75,000 City population
- 570,000 Metro area
- 1866 Founded
- Northeast Pennsylvania / Lackawanna Valley Region
Why people move to Scranton.
- Being the fictional setting of NBC's 'The Office' and home to the real-world 'Scranton Welcomes You' sign
- Being Joe Biden's hometown — he was born here in 1942 and often references his Scranton roots
- The first US city with an all-electric streetcar system (1886)
- Former anthracite-coal mining heritage — Scranton was the 'Anthracite Capital'
- The Steamtown National Historic Site — a working steam-locomotive museum
- Nay Aug Park and the Everhart Museum
Scranton earned its 'Electric City' nickname in 1886 when it became the first city in the US to have an entirely electric streetcar system. The streetcar's success made Scranton a model for urban transit. The city later became the fictional home of Dunder Mifflin Paper Company on NBC's 'The Office' — and the show's creators chose Scranton specifically because it represented a typical mid-sized American city, not a major metro. Scranton tourism got a real boost from the show's nine-year run.
Where people live in Scranton.
A quick guide to Scranton's most moved-to neighborhoods.
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Downtown / Courthouse Square
Walkable historic core with restored buildings and restaurants
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Hill Section
Historic wealthy neighborhood with Victorian mansions from coal-era wealth
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Green Ridge
Established residential neighborhood with character homes and tight community
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West Scranton
Working-class neighborhood with affordable housing
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North Scranton
Residential with mix of older and newer homes
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Clarks Summit / Dalton
Affluent suburbs north of the city with top-rated schools
Where people spend their time in Scranton.
- Steamtown National Historic Site Downtown
- Electric City Trolley Museum Downtown
- Nay Aug Park East Scranton
- The Office filming locations tour Downtown & Throughout
- Lackawanna County Stadium (PNC Field) Moosic
- Anthracite Heritage Museum North Scranton
Planning a Scranton move.
- Scranton has some of the most affordable housing in the Northeast; median home prices run well below national averages
- Winter is severe with significant snow and ice; plan for weather-buffer days November-March
- NYC is 2 hours east via I-80/I-380; some Scranton residents commute part-time or make frequent trips
- Older housing stock often needs updates to electrical, plumbing, and insulation — budget accordingly
Moving in Scranton: FAQ.
Is 'The Office' really a big deal for Scranton?
Yes — tourism from the show's nine-year NBC run (2005-2013) and Netflix streaming afterwards has been substantial. The 'Scranton Welcomes You' sign appears in the opening credits. Self-guided tours of filming locations (the sign, the Steamtown Mall, Poor Richard's Pub) draw fans regularly. The University of Scranton bookstore sells Dunder Mifflin merchandise. The show's economic impact has been one of the most unexpected TV-to-city success stories.
How's the commute to NYC or Philly?
NYC is about 130 miles east via I-80/I-380 — roughly 2 hours driving. Philadelphia is about 130 miles southeast — similar time. Amtrak has limited service. No direct commuter rail. Daily commuters are rare but hybrid-remote workers with 1-2 NYC/Philly office days per month find Scranton manageable. Many residents work locally in healthcare, education, and logistics.
Is Scranton affordable?
Yes, very. Median home prices run 40-50% below national averages; cost of living is similarly lower. Entry-level family homes under $150K are still common. The trade-off is a smaller job market, harsh winters, and limited direct-flight options. Remote workers from NYC or Philadelphia seeking affordability often find Scranton a notable value — Joe Biden's political narrative of 'Scranton values' captures the working-class affordability ethos.
What's Joe Biden's actual connection?
President Biden was born in Scranton on November 20, 1942 and lived here until age 10 when his family moved to Wilmington, Delaware. His childhood home in Green Ridge still stands (privately owned) and is a pilgrimage site for political tourists. Biden has made his 'Scranton Joe' identity central to his political brand and frequently returns. Scranton and Wilmington both claim him as hometown.
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