Cost of Living in Syracuse, NY
Updated November 2026 · Onondaga County · Syracuse, NY metro area · population 146,384
Prices in Syracuse are 4.8% below the US average (local index 95.2; the BEA index for the Syracuse, NY metro area is 95.7), with local housing the biggest saving at 79.7; a single adult's modelled budget is about $2,458 a month and the median rent is $1,039.
Prices by category
CostLiving local estimate. 100 = US average; 110 means prices are 10% higher. Housing reflects Syracuse's own median rent compared with the area's average rent; goods, utilities and other services are BEA's official price parities for the Syracuse, NY metro area, unchanged.
Syracuse price index by category, US average = 100: All items 95.2, Housing (rents) 79.7, Goods 99.7, Utilities 133.4, Other services 97.8
It is the 18th most expensive of the 19 New York cities in our data. Cheaper than 74% of the cities we cover.
| BEA index | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 95.1 | 95.9 | 96.3 | 93.5 | 95.7 | 95.7 |
Monthly budget by household type
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Syracuse, NY
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $732 | $8,784 | 30% |
| Utilities | $327 | $3,924 | 13% |
| Food at home | $281 | $3,372 | 11% |
| Transportation | $608 | $7,296 | 25% |
| Health care | $344 | $4,128 | 14% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $166 | $1,992 | 7% |
| Total | $2,458 | $29,496 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Syracuse, NY
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $899 | $10,788 | 22% |
| Utilities | $522 | $6,264 | 13% |
| Food at home | $519 | $6,228 | 13% |
| Transportation | $1,203 | $14,436 | 29% |
| Health care | $637 | $7,644 | 16% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $327 | $3,924 | 8% |
| Total | $4,107 | $49,284 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Syracuse, NY
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,040 | $12,480 | 21% |
| Utilities | $635 | $7,620 | 13% |
| Food at home | $740 | $8,880 | 15% |
| Transportation | $1,602 | $19,224 | 32% |
| Health care | $593 | $7,116 | 12% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $421 | $5,052 | 8% |
| Total | $5,031 | $60,372 | 100% |
Modelled estimate of basic costs, excluding taxes, child care and savings. Housing is rent excluding tenant-paid utilities (counted under utilities). See how the budget is calculated.
Housing costs in Syracuse
Rent by number of bedrooms
| Size | Median rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $720 |
| 1 bedroom | $868 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,066 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,233 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,245 |
Median rent: Census ACS 2020-2024 median gross rent by bedrooms (rent plus tenant-paid utilities, all renters).
Rent, home values and affordability
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,039 |
| Median contract rent (excl. utilities) | $876 |
| Median home value | $138,400 |
| Owner costs with a mortgage | $1,238/mo |
| Median household income | $47,819 |
| Rent as % of renter income Expensive | 32.9% |
| Home value ÷ household income Very affordable | 2.9× |
Census ACS 5-year 2020-2024.
Electricity and gas prices
Residential electricity in New York
28.65¢ per kWh, August 2026
12-month change: +7.5% (from 26.64¢) · US 18.16¢
Average household uses 586 kWh a month in New York ≈ $168/month. Source: EIA-861M (statewide average).
Regular gasoline
$4.22 per gallon, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change: +40.4% (from $3.00) · US $4.15
EIA weekly retail price survey.
Inflation in the Northeast
Consumer prices in the Northeast Census region rose +4.2% in the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%). Nationally, food at home changed +1.8%, shelter +3.2% and energy +20.4%. Source: BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted. CPI is published for regions and large metro areas, so the regional figure is shown.
Salary equivalent
Because prices in Syracuse are 4.8% below the US average, $60,000 here has the buying power of about $63,000 in an average-priced US area.
Formula: US-equivalent = salary × 100 ÷ 95.2. Based on the local cost index (CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP and Census rents); taxes not included.
Nearby cities
| City | Distance | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ithaca, NY | 45 mi | 103.5 | $2,964 | $1,447 |
| Utica, NY | 46 mi | 93.1 | $2,328 | $951 |
| Irondequoit, NY | 73 mi | 97.6 | $2,630 | $1,159 |
| Rochester, NY | 75 mi | 96.5 | $2,494 | $1,081 |
Cities with a similar cost of living
| City | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicopee, MA | 95.2 | $2,542 | $1,157 |
| Greenville, SC | 95.3 | $2,699 | $1,312 |
| Kentwood, MI | 95.3 | $2,583 | $1,260 |
| Logan, UT | 95.2 | $2,292 | $1,149 |
| Rock Hill, SC | 95.4 | $2,724 | $1,341 |
| Overland Park, KS | 95.4 | $2,731 | $1,515 |
Compare Syracuse with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Syracuse, NY an expensive place to live?
Syracuse has a local cost of living index of 95.2, which is 4.8% below the US average. This CostLiving estimate starts from the BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Syracuse, NY metro area (95.7) and adjusts housing to Syracuse's own rents. It is 12.7 points below the New York average. It is the 18th most expensive of the 19 New York cities in our data. Cheaper than 74% of the cities we cover.
How much money do you need to live in Syracuse?
Our modelled estimate of basic monthly costs is $2,458 for a single adult, $4,107 for a couple and $5,031 for a family of four, before taxes, child care and savings. A $60,000 salary in an average-priced US area buys about the same as $57,100 in Syracuse.
What is the average rent in Syracuse?
The median gross rent (rent plus tenant-paid utilities) is $1,039 a month (Census ACS 2020-2024). By size: 1 bedroom $868, 2 bedrooms $1,066, 3 bedrooms $1,233. The typical renter spends 32.9% of household income on rent (expensive).
How much does a house cost in Syracuse?
The median owner-estimated home value is $138,400, 2.9 times the median household income of $47,819 (very affordable). Owners with a mortgage pay a median $1,238 a month in housing costs.
How much is electricity and gas in Syracuse?
New York residential electricity averaged 28.65¢ per kWh in August 2026 (US 18.16¢). Regular gasoline was $4.22 a gallon (New York average, week of 2026-11-02).
Sources and notes
- Local cost index: CostLiving estimate from BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Syracuse, NY metropolitan statistical area (BEA index 95.7) with housing from Census ACS median rent (city figure); see the methodology.
- Rents, home values, income, population: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, Census place 3673000 (Syracuse city).
- Electricity: EIA-861M, New York residential average, August 2026.
- Gasoline: EIA weekly retail regular gasoline, New York, week of 2026-11-02.
- Inflation: BLS CPI-U Northeast region, September 2026.
- Budget baselines: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2025; electricity use by household size: EIA RECS 2020.
Labels such as “county figure” or “state nonmetro figure” mark values that come from a larger area because the city-level figure is unavailable or unreliable. The monthly budget is a modelled estimate, not observed spending, and excludes taxes. This page is for general information and is not financial advice. Methodology · All sources