Cost of Living: Arlington, VA vs Syracuse, NY (2026)

Arlington

Virginia
203
VS

Syracuse

New York
59

Arlington is 244% more expensive than Syracuse.

$2,275/mo ↑ 128%
Median Rent
$998/mo ↓ 56%
$140,160/yr ↑ 206%
Median Income
$45,845/yr ↓ 67%
$864,800 ↑ 591%
Home Value
$125,100 ↓ 86%
$2,414/mo ↑ 146%
Owner Costs
$980/mo ↓ 59%
235,463
Population
146,211

Tax Comparison

5.75%
Income Tax
10.9%
5.3%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.8%
Property Tax
1.62%

Affordability

19.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, VA and Syracuse, NY, the overall cost of living indices are 203 and 59 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,277/month cheaper in Syracuse, saving renters about $15,324/year.

Median household income is $94,315/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $864,800 compared to $125,100 in Syracuse.

Virginia has a lower income tax rate, making Arlington slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Syracuse — common questions

Is Arlington or Syracuse cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Syracuse is cheaper to live in with an index of 59 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Syracuse?
Median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month and in Syracuse it's $998/month — a difference of $1,277/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Syracuse?
Median household income is $140,160 in Arlington and $45,845 in Syracuse. Median household income is $94,315/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Virginia and New York?
Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. New York has 10.9% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 1.62% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or Syracuse?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 203 with median rent of $2,275/mo, while Syracuse has a cost index of 59 with rent of $998/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Syracuse details →

More Comparisons

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