Cost of Living: Cary, NC vs Syracuse, NY (2026)

Cary

North Carolina
135
VS

Syracuse

New York
59

Cary is 129% more expensive than Syracuse.

$1,621/mo ↑ 62%
Median Rent
$998/mo ↓ 38%
$129,399/yr ↑ 182%
Median Income
$45,845/yr ↓ 65%
$525,200 ↑ 320%
Home Value
$125,100 ↓ 76%
$1,744/mo ↑ 78%
Owner Costs
$980/mo ↓ 44%
176,686
Population
146,211

Tax Comparison

4.5%
Income Tax
10.9%
4.75%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.8%
Property Tax
1.62%

Affordability

15.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cary, NC and Syracuse, NY, the overall cost of living indices are 135 and 59 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $623/month cheaper in Syracuse, saving renters about $7,476/year.

Median household income is $83,554/year higher in Cary. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cary is $525,200 compared to $125,100 in Syracuse.

North Carolina has a lower income tax rate, making Cary slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cary vs Syracuse — common questions

Is Cary or Syracuse cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Syracuse is cheaper to live in with an index of 59 compared to 135 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cary and Syracuse?
Median rent in Cary is $1,621/month and in Syracuse it's $998/month — a difference of $623/month.
Which city has higher income, Cary or Syracuse?
Median household income is $129,399 in Cary and $45,845 in Syracuse. Median household income is $83,554/year higher in Cary.
How do taxes compare between North Carolina and New York?
North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% 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 Cary or Syracuse?
It depends on your priorities. Cary has a cost index of 135 with median rent of $1,621/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 Cary details → View Syracuse details →

More Comparisons

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