salarySyracuse is the 5th-largest city in New York that we track, with 146,384 residents. Rent is lower than in 67% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 18 minutes. Most households rent (58%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $53,120 a year. That is $26 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other New York cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of New York. It is number 66 of 343 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Syracuse?
Share of households by yearly income. 13.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Syracuse
| Size | Syracuse | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $794 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $958 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,176 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,360 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,374 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Syracuse overall?
Everyday prices in the Syracuse metro area are 4% below the U.S. average (index 95.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Syracuse
Life in Syracuse
What jobs pay in Syracuse
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $149,510 | 10.7% |
| Physician Assistant | $133,000 | 12.0% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,010 | 12.1% |
| Software Developer | $129,100 | 12.3% |
| Lawyer | $128,910 | 12.4% |
| Operations Manager | $108,140 | 14.7% |
| Civil Engineer | $102,330 | 15.6% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $95,380 | 16.7% |
| Dental Hygienist | $93,640 | 17.0% |
| Registered Nurse | $86,960 | 18.3% |
| Accountant | $82,230 | 19.4% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $78,560 | 20.3% |
| Market Research Analyst | $77,110 | 20.7% |
| Electrician | $77,110 | 20.7% |
| Police Officer | $75,370 | 21.1% |
| Plumber | $67,040 | 23.8% |
| HVAC Technician | $66,600 | 23.9% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $62,880 | 25.3% |
| Carpenter | $62,250 | 25.6% |
| Truck Driver | $61,330 | 26.0% |
| Firefighter | $58,470 | 27.3% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $47,640 | 33.5% |
| Customer Service Representative | $45,360 | 35.1% |
| Warehouse Worker | $44,660 | 35.7% |
| Medical Assistant | $44,250 | 36.0% |
| Nursing Assistant | $42,940 | 37.1% |
| Restaurant Cook | $38,740 | 41.1% |
| Retail Salesperson | $35,250 | 45.2% |
| Cashier | $33,950 | 46.9% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Syracuse?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $368 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $138,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $13,840 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Syracuse, NY?
Renting in Syracuse costs a median of about $1,328 a month in 2026, including utilities. The New York median is $2,177.
How much do I need to make to live in Syracuse?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $53,120 a year, or $26 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Syracuse cheap or expensive?
Syracuse is rated Expensive: rent takes 30.9% of the typical household income of $51,573. It ranks 66th cheapest of 343 New York cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Syracuse?
The median homeowner in Syracuse pays $3,210 a year in property taxes, about 2.32% of the median home value.
Is Syracuse more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 4% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Syracuse?
The median home value in Syracuse is $138,400, about 2.7 times the typical yearly household income.
146,384 people live in Syracuse. Numbers are typical (middle) values.