Is Rochester, NY cheaper than Syracuse, NY?

Based on cost of living data, Rochester, NY is 0.3% more expensive than Syracuse, NY. The two cities have very similar living costs.

What salary do I need in Rochester, NY to live like I do in Syracuse, NY?

If you earn $150,000 in Syracuse, NY, you'd need approximately $150,246.146 in Rochester, NY to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Syracuse, NY and Rochester, NY?

Housing in Rochester, NY is 16.6% more expensive than in Syracuse, NY. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,633/month in Rochester, NY compared to $1,043/month in Syracuse, NY.

How much can I save per month by moving from Syracuse, NY to Rochester, NY?

Syracuse, NY and Rochester, NY have very similar costs of living, based on a $150,000 salary.

Syracuse, NY vs Rochester, NY: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Syracuse, NY

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $20.51/month more in Rochester, NY

$150.0K in your current city equals $150.2K in Rochester, NY

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Syracuse, NY area

Overall Cost

↑ 0.3%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$20.51

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$246

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Syracuse, NY

Population:146K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$177K

Rochester, NY

Population:207K

Cost Index:

100

(0% above avg)

Median Home:$198K

Syracuse, NY

The Empire State

146K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in New York, this city has a population of 146K residents.

Rochester, NY

The Empire State

207K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in New York, this city has a population of 207K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Syracuse, NY vs Rochester, NY

Category	Syracuse, NY	Rochester, NY	Difference	Change
Housing	$1,809/mo	$2,108/mo	↑ $299more	16.6%
Transportation	$1,421/mo	$1,315/mo	↓ $106less	7.4%
Healthcare	$648/mo	$548/mo	↓ $101less	15.5%
All Utilities	$562/mo	$631/mo	↑ $69.25more	12.3%
Other	$1,800/mo	$1,738/mo	↓ $62.30less	3.5%
Groceries	$1,036/mo	$1,029/mo	↓ $7.48less	0.7%

Housing

↑ 16.6%

Syracuse, NY

$1,809

Rochester, NY

$2,108

Difference

$299

Transportation

↓ 7.4%

Syracuse, NY

$1,421

Rochester, NY

$1,315

Difference

$106

less

Healthcare

↓ 15.5%

Syracuse, NY

$648

Rochester, NY

$548

Difference

$101

less

All Utilities

↑ 12.3%

Syracuse, NY

$562

Rochester, NY

$631

Difference

$69.25

Other

↓ 3.5%

Syracuse, NY

$1,800

Rochester, NY

$1,738

Difference

$62.30

less

Groceries

↓ 0.7%

Syracuse, NY

$1,036

Rochester, NY

$1,029

Difference

$7.48

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$748

To$1,157

↑ $409

1 Bed

From$839

To$1,309

↑ $470

2 Bed

From$1,043

To$1,633

↑ $590

3 Bed

From$1,269

To$1,968

↑ $699

Syracuse, NYZIP-level data

1BR range: $990–$1,270/mo

Rochester, NYZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,050–$1,880/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,276

Monthly in Syracuse, NY

$7,368

Monthly in Rochester, NY

$92.45

Difference

Home Values

Syracuse

Rochester

$177K

Median Value

$198K

↑ +3.5%

YoY Change

↑ +2.3%

↑ +55.5%

5-Year Change

↑ +45.8%

$138K - $348K

Price Range

$90K - $334K

Homes in Rochester are 12% more expensive than Syracuse

Calculate payment - Syracuse Calculate payment - Rochester

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

→ $0

Same taxes

Monthly Difference

Same take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.0%

Rate difference

Syracuse, NY

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

New York State Tax

Effective: 6.4%

$9.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.0%

$46.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,620/month

$103.4K

Rochester, NY

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

New York State Tax

Effective: 6.4%

$9.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.0%

$46.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,620/month

$103.4K

Additional Tax Information

Syracuse, NY Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.8%

Property Tax:1.2%

Rochester, NY Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.8%

Property Tax:1.2%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.