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

Irvine

California
256
VS

Syracuse

New York
59

Irvine is 334% more expensive than Syracuse.

$2,893/mo ↑ 190%
Median Rent
$998/mo ↓ 66%
$129,647/yr ↑ 183%
Median Income
$45,845/yr ↓ 65%
$1,115,400 ↑ 792%
Home Value
$125,100 ↓ 89%
$2,904/mo ↑ 196%
Owner Costs
$980/mo ↓ 66%
308,160
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

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Irvine, CA and Syracuse, NY, the overall cost of living indices are 256 and 59 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,895/month cheaper in Syracuse, saving renters about $22,740/year.

Median household income is $83,802/year higher in Irvine. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Irvine is $1,115,400 compared to $125,100 in Syracuse.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Irvine vs Syracuse — common questions

Is Irvine or Syracuse cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Syracuse is cheaper to live in with an index of 59 compared to 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Irvine and Syracuse?
Median rent in Irvine is $2,893/month and in Syracuse it's $998/month — a difference of $1,895/month.
Which city has higher income, Irvine or Syracuse?
Median household income is $129,647 in Irvine and $45,845 in Syracuse. Median household income is $83,802/year higher in Irvine.
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 Irvine or Syracuse?
It depends on your priorities. Irvine has a cost index of 256 with median rent of $2,893/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 Irvine details → View Syracuse details →

More Comparisons

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