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

Los Angeles

California
187
VS

Syracuse

New York
59

Los Angeles is 217% more expensive than Syracuse.

$1,879/mo ↑ 88%
Median Rent
$998/mo ↓ 47%
$80,366/yr ↑ 75%
Median Income
$45,845/yr ↓ 43%
$879,500 ↑ 603%
Home Value
$125,100 ↓ 86%
$2,055/mo ↑ 110%
Owner Costs
$980/mo ↓ 52%
3,857,897
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

28.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Los Angeles, CA and Syracuse, NY, the overall cost of living indices are 187 and 59 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $881/month cheaper in Syracuse, saving renters about $10,572/year.

Median household income is $34,521/year higher in Los Angeles. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Los Angeles is $879,500 compared to $125,100 in Syracuse.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Los Angeles vs Syracuse — common questions

Is Los Angeles or Syracuse cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Syracuse is cheaper to live in with an index of 59 compared to 187 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Los Angeles and Syracuse?
Median rent in Los Angeles is $1,879/month and in Syracuse it's $998/month — a difference of $881/month.
Which city has higher income, Los Angeles or Syracuse?
Median household income is $80,366 in Los Angeles and $45,845 in Syracuse. Median household income is $34,521/year higher in Los Angeles.
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 Los Angeles or Syracuse?
It depends on your priorities. Los Angeles has a cost index of 187 with median rent of $1,879/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 Los Angeles details → View Syracuse details →

More Comparisons

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