CostIndexUSA

Modesto, CA vs Syracuse, NY Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Modesto
104.1
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordableNY
Syracuse
95.7
overall index
$1,575/mo rent

Syracuse is moderately cheaper than Modesto — 8.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Modesto, you would need $73,500 in Syracuse. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing25.6%
Modesto
108.5
Syracuse
80.7
🛒 Groceries5.2%
Modesto
105.2
Syracuse
99.7
🚗 Transportation2.6%
Modesto
105.3
Syracuse
102.6
🏥 Healthcare2.5%
Modesto
95.3
Syracuse
92.9
Utilities12.4%
Modesto
152.3
Syracuse
133.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Syracuse, NY
$73,500
$6,500 less needed in Syracuse

Formula: salary × (95.7 ÷ 104.1) = salary × 0.9193. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Modesto, CA

Median Home Price
$457,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
108.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.1×

Syracuse, NY

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

Modesto has 25.6% lower housing costs compared to Syracuse.

Income & Job Market

Modesto, CA

Median Household Income
$82,800
Per Capita Income
$47,200
Unemployment Rate
6.6%
Population
218,464
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingRetailEducation

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).

Modesto, CA
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% 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.