CostIndexUSA

Philadelphia, PA vs Syracuse, NY Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

PA
Philadelphia
102.6
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
More AffordableNY
Syracuse
95.7
overall index
$1,575/mo rent

Syracuse is moderately cheaper than Philadelphia — 6.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Philadelphia, you would need $74,600 in Syracuse. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing28.6%
Philadelphia
113.1
Syracuse
80.7
🛒 Groceries+3.0%
Philadelphia
96.8
Syracuse
99.7
🚗 Transportation5.2%
Philadelphia
108.2
Syracuse
102.6
🏥 Healthcare5.1%
Philadelphia
97.9
Syracuse
92.9
Utilities+16.6%
Philadelphia
114.4
Syracuse
133.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Syracuse, NY
$74,600
$5,400 less needed in Syracuse

Formula: salary × (95.7 ÷ 102.6) = salary × 0.9327. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Philadelphia, PA

Median Home Price
$374,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
113.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.8×

Syracuse, NY

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

Philadelphia has 28.6% lower housing costs compared to Syracuse.

Income & Job Market

Philadelphia, PA

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
Population
1,603,797
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationFinanceTourismManufacturing

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).

Philadelphia, PA
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.