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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

$
Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $907/month more in Waterbury, CT

$150.0K in your current city equals $160.9K in Waterbury, CT

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Syracuse, NY area
Overall Cost
12.1%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$907
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$10.9K
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

Waterbury, CT

Population:115K
Cost Index:
112
(12% above avg)
Median Home:$268K

Syracuse, NY

The Empire State

146K
Population
State Tax
Yes

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

Waterbury, CT

The Constitution State

115K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Connecticut, this city has a population of 115K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Syracuse, NY vs Waterbury, CT

Housing
143.8%
Syracuse, NY
$1,809
Waterbury, CT
$4,409
Difference
$2,600
more
Other
27.6%
Syracuse, NY
$1,800
Waterbury, CT
$1,303
Difference
$498
less
Transportation
27.8%
Syracuse, NY
$1,421
Waterbury, CT
$1,026
Difference
$394
less
Groceries
10.0%
Syracuse, NY
$1,036
Waterbury, CT
$932
Difference
$104
less
Healthcare
15.1%
Syracuse, NY
$648
Waterbury, CT
$550
Difference
$97.96
less
All Utilities
14.5%
Syracuse, NY
$562
Waterbury, CT
$480
Difference
$81.34
less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$748
To$653
$95.00
1 Bed
From$839
To$757
$82.00
2 Bed
From$1,043
To$936
$107
3 Bed
From$1,269
To$1,157
$112
Syracuse, NYZIP-level data

1BR range: $990$1,270/mo

Waterbury, CTZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,120$1,460/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
$8,701
Monthly in Waterbury, CT
$1,425
Difference

Home Values

Syracuse
Waterbury
$177K
Median Value
$268K
↑ +3.5%
YoY Change
↑ +3.1%
↑ +55.5%
5-Year Change
↑ +84.3%
$138K - $348K
Price Range
$250K - $290K

Homes in Waterbury are 52% more expensive than Syracuse

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
$1.5K
Per year
Monthly Difference
$124
More take-home
Effective Rate Diff
1.0%
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

Waterbury, CT

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Connecticut State Tax
Effective: 5.4%
$8.1K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 30.0%
$45.1K
Take-Home Pay
$8,745/month
$104.9K

Additional Tax Information

Syracuse, NY Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.8%
Property Tax:1.2%

Waterbury, CT Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.3%
Property Tax:2.1%

💡 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.

Environment

Syracuse
Waterbury
N/A
Air Quality
43 Good
-
Good Air Days
65.8%
98 High
Climate Risk
99 High
🌊🌡🌪
Top Hazards
🌊🌀🌡
+2.9°F
2050 Outlook
+2.7°F
15 days
Heat Days >95°F
11 days
+2.9°F
2050 Outlook
+2.7°F
15 days
Heat Days >95°F
11 days

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between New York and Connecticut on TaxTakeHome.com

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