Cost of Living: Montgomery, AL vs Syracuse, NY (2026)

Montgomery

Alabama
64
VS

Syracuse

New York
59

Montgomery is 8% more expensive than Syracuse.

$1,059/mo ↑ 6%
Median Rent
$998/mo ↓ 6%
$55,687/yr ↑ 21%
Median Income
$45,845/yr ↓ 18%
$148,500 ↑ 19%
Home Value
$125,100 ↓ 16%
$1,023/mo ↑ 4%
Owner Costs
$980/mo ↓ 4%
198,440
Population
146,211

Tax Comparison

5.0%
Income Tax
10.9%
4.0%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.41%
Property Tax
1.62%

Affordability

22.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Montgomery, AL and Syracuse, NY, the overall cost of living indices are 64 and 59 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $61/month cheaper in Syracuse, saving renters about $732/year.

Median household income is $9,842/year higher in Montgomery. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Montgomery is $148,500 compared to $125,100 in Syracuse.

Alabama has a lower income tax rate, making Montgomery slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Montgomery vs Syracuse — common questions

Is Montgomery or Syracuse cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Syracuse is cheaper to live in with an index of 59 compared to 64 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Montgomery and Syracuse?
Median rent in Montgomery is $1,059/month and in Syracuse it's $998/month — a difference of $61/month.
Which city has higher income, Montgomery or Syracuse?
Median household income is $55,687 in Montgomery and $45,845 in Syracuse. Median household income is $9,842/year higher in Montgomery.
How do taxes compare between Alabama and New York?
Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax. New York has 10.9% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 1.62% property tax.
Should I move to Montgomery or Syracuse?
It depends on your priorities. Montgomery has a cost index of 64 with median rent of $1,059/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 Montgomery details → View Syracuse details →

More Comparisons

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