Cost of Living: Portland, OR vs Syracuse, NY (2026)

Portland

Oregon
138
VS

Syracuse

New York
59

Portland is 134% more expensive than Syracuse.

$1,596/mo ↑ 60%
Median Rent
$998/mo ↓ 37%
$88,792/yr ↑ 94%
Median Income
$45,845/yr ↓ 48%
$557,600 ↑ 346%
Home Value
$125,100 ↓ 78%
$1,771/mo ↑ 81%
Owner Costs
$980/mo ↓ 45%
642,715
Population
146,211

Tax Comparison

9.9%
Income Tax
10.9%
0%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.93%
Property Tax
1.62%

Affordability

21.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Portland, OR and Syracuse, NY, the overall cost of living indices are 138 and 59 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $598/month cheaper in Syracuse, saving renters about $7,176/year.

Median household income is $42,947/year higher in Portland. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Portland is $557,600 compared to $125,100 in Syracuse.

Oregon has a lower income tax rate, making Portland slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Portland vs Syracuse — common questions

Is Portland or Syracuse cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Syracuse is cheaper to live in with an index of 59 compared to 138 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Portland and Syracuse?
Median rent in Portland is $1,596/month and in Syracuse it's $998/month — a difference of $598/month.
Which city has higher income, Portland or Syracuse?
Median household income is $88,792 in Portland and $45,845 in Syracuse. Median household income is $42,947/year higher in Portland.
How do taxes compare between Oregon and New York?
Oregon has 9.9% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. New York has 10.9% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 1.62% property tax.
Should I move to Portland or Syracuse?
It depends on your priorities. Portland has a cost index of 138 with median rent of $1,596/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 Portland details → View Syracuse details →

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