CostIndexUSA

Boston, MA vs Syracuse, NY Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MA
Boston
108.3
overall index
$3,050/mo rent
More AffordableNY
Syracuse
95.7
overall index
$1,575/mo rent

Syracuse is moderately cheaper than Boston — 11.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boston, you would need $70,700 in Syracuse. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing45.6%
Boston
148.4
Syracuse
80.7
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Boston
99.7
Syracuse
99.7
🚗 Transportation5.7%
Boston
108.8
Syracuse
102.6
🏥 Healthcare5.6%
Boston
98.4
Syracuse
92.9
Utilities10.3%
Boston
148.8
Syracuse
133.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Boston to see what you'd need to earn in Syracuse to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Syracuse, NY
$70,700
$9,300 less needed in Syracuse

Formula: salary × (95.7 ÷ 108.3) = salary × 0.8837. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Boston, MA

Median Home Price
$709,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,050
Housing Index
148.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.4×

Syracuse, NY

Median Home Price
$245,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,575
Housing Index
80.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.0×

Boston has 45.6% lower housing costs compared to Syracuse.

Income & Job Market

Boston, MA

Median Household Income
$110,700
Per Capita Income
$63,100
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
692,600
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationFinanceTechnologyBiotechnology

Syracuse, NY

Median Household Income
$73,300
Per Capita Income
$41,800
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
148,458
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingFinanceGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Boston, MA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Syracuse, NY
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.