CostIndexUSA

Boulder, CO vs Syracuse, NY Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CO
Boulder
105.2
overall index
$2,250/mo rent
More AffordableNY
Syracuse
95.7
overall index
$1,575/mo rent

Syracuse is moderately cheaper than Boulder — 9.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boulder, you would need $72,800 in Syracuse. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing48.6%
Boulder
157
Syracuse
80.7
🛒 Groceries+3.7%
Boulder
96.1
Syracuse
99.7
🚗 Transportation2.1%
Boulder
104.8
Syracuse
102.6
🏥 Healthcare2.0%
Boulder
94.8
Syracuse
92.9
Utilities+61.3%
Boulder
82.7
Syracuse
133.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Syracuse, NY
$72,800
$7,200 less needed in Syracuse

Formula: salary × (95.7 ÷ 105.2) = salary × 0.9097. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Boulder, CO

Median Home Price
$702,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,250
Housing Index
157
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.0×

Syracuse, NY

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

Boulder has 48.6% lower housing costs compared to Syracuse.

Income & Job Market

Boulder, CO

Median Household Income
$95,400
Per Capita Income
$54,400
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
105,112
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationResearchHealthcareOutdoor Recreation

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).

Boulder, CO
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

72% 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.