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

Sacramento

California
132
VS

Syracuse

New York
59

Sacramento is 124% more expensive than Syracuse.

$1,694/mo ↑ 70%
Median Rent
$998/mo ↓ 41%
$83,753/yr ↑ 83%
Median Income
$45,845/yr ↓ 45%
$484,600 ↑ 287%
Home Value
$125,100 ↓ 74%
$1,752/mo ↑ 79%
Owner Costs
$980/mo ↓ 44%
524,802
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

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Sacramento, CA and Syracuse, NY, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 59 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $696/month cheaper in Syracuse, saving renters about $8,352/year.

Median household income is $37,908/year higher in Sacramento. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Sacramento is $484,600 compared to $125,100 in Syracuse.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Sacramento vs Syracuse — common questions

Is Sacramento or Syracuse cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Syracuse is cheaper to live in with an index of 59 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Sacramento and Syracuse?
Median rent in Sacramento is $1,694/month and in Syracuse it's $998/month — a difference of $696/month.
Which city has higher income, Sacramento or Syracuse?
Median household income is $83,753 in Sacramento and $45,845 in Syracuse. Median household income is $37,908/year higher in Sacramento.
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 Sacramento or Syracuse?
It depends on your priorities. Sacramento has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,694/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.
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