Cost of Living: Fresno, CA vs Syracuse, NY (2026)

Fresno

California
101
VS

Syracuse

New York
59

Fresno is 71% more expensive than Syracuse.

$1,324/mo ↑ 33%
Median Rent
$998/mo ↓ 25%
$66,804/yr ↑ 46%
Median Income
$45,845/yr ↓ 31%
$348,500 ↑ 179%
Home Value
$125,100 ↓ 64%
$1,391/mo ↑ 42%
Owner Costs
$980/mo ↓ 30%
543,615
Population
146,211

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
10.9%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.62%

Affordability

23.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fresno, CA and Syracuse, NY, the overall cost of living indices are 101 and 59 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $326/month cheaper in Syracuse, saving renters about $3,912/year.

Median household income is $20,959/year higher in Fresno. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fresno is $348,500 compared to $125,100 in Syracuse.

New York has a lower income tax rate, making Syracuse slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fresno vs Syracuse — common questions

Is Fresno or Syracuse cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Syracuse is cheaper to live in with an index of 59 compared to 101 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fresno and Syracuse?
Median rent in Fresno is $1,324/month and in Syracuse it's $998/month — a difference of $326/month.
Which city has higher income, Fresno or Syracuse?
Median household income is $66,804 in Fresno and $45,845 in Syracuse. Median household income is $20,959/year higher in Fresno.
How do taxes compare between California and New York?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. New York has 10.9% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 1.62% property tax.
Should I move to Fresno or Syracuse?
It depends on your priorities. Fresno has a cost index of 101 with median rent of $1,324/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 Fresno details → View Syracuse details →

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