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

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Syracuse

New York
59

San Francisco is 353% more expensive than Syracuse.

$2,419/mo ↑ 142%
Median Rent
$998/mo ↓ 59%
$141,446/yr ↑ 209%
Median Income
$45,845/yr ↓ 68%
$1,380,500 ↑ 1004%
Home Value
$125,100 ↓ 91%
$2,620/mo ↑ 167%
Owner Costs
$980/mo ↓ 63%
836,321
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

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Syracuse, NY, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 59 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,421/month cheaper in Syracuse, saving renters about $17,052/year.

Median household income is $95,601/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $125,100 in Syracuse.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Syracuse — common questions

Is San Francisco or Syracuse cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Syracuse is cheaper to live in with an index of 59 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Syracuse?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Syracuse it's $998/month — a difference of $1,421/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Syracuse?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $45,845 in Syracuse. Median household income is $95,601/year higher in San Francisco.
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 San Francisco or Syracuse?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/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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More Comparisons

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