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

Santa Rosa

California
172
VS

Syracuse

New York
59

Santa Rosa is 192% more expensive than Syracuse.

$2,084/mo ↑ 109%
Median Rent
$998/mo ↓ 52%
$97,410/yr ↑ 112%
Median Income
$45,845/yr ↓ 53%
$685,000 ↑ 448%
Home Value
$125,100 ↓ 82%
$2,130/mo ↑ 117%
Owner Costs
$980/mo ↓ 54%
177,216
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

25.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Rosa, CA and Syracuse, NY, the overall cost of living indices are 172 and 59 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,086/month cheaper in Syracuse, saving renters about $13,032/year.

Median household income is $51,565/year higher in Santa Rosa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Rosa is $685,000 compared to $125,100 in Syracuse.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Rosa vs Syracuse — common questions

Is Santa Rosa or Syracuse cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Syracuse is cheaper to live in with an index of 59 compared to 172 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Rosa and Syracuse?
Median rent in Santa Rosa is $2,084/month and in Syracuse it's $998/month — a difference of $1,086/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Rosa or Syracuse?
Median household income is $97,410 in Santa Rosa and $45,845 in Syracuse. Median household income is $51,565/year higher in Santa Rosa.
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 Santa Rosa or Syracuse?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Rosa has a cost index of 172 with median rent of $2,084/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 Santa Rosa details → View Syracuse details →

More Comparisons

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