Median rent is 28% lower in Syracuse ($1,039/mo vs $1,440/mo). Buying is cheaper in Syracuse, where the median home runs $138,400 versus $334,100. Households earn more in Chicago ($77,902 vs $47,819 a year). Taken together, Syracuse is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 95.7 against 102.5 — about 7% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Chicago, IL.
Cost of living verdict
Syracuse is 7% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 95.7 in Syracuse vs 102.5 in Chicago (US national average = 100)
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Syracuse, NY
How much would you need to earn in Syracuse, NY to maintain your standard of living from Chicago, IL?
Equivalent salary in Syracuse, NY
$70,046
You could earn $4,954 less (7% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Chicago
Illinois
Syracuse
New York
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Syracuse — median rent of $1,039/mo versus $1,440/mo in Chicago, a 28% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Chicago: the median home is $334,100 versus $138,400 in Syracuse — 59% more expensive.
Metric
Chicago
Syracuse
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Chicago
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Syracuse
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Both cities have similar air quality: Chicago averages 31.0 AQI (Good) and Syracuse averages 31.0 AQI (Good).
Pick Syracuse if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 95.7 vs 102.5).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($77,902/yr).
Pick Syracuse if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,039/mo median).
Syracuse is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 95.7 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 7% lower in Syracuse.
Median rent is $1,440/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,039/mo in Syracuse, NY. Syracuse, NY has the lower rent by about 28%.
Median household income is $77,902 in Chicago, IL and $47,819 in Syracuse, NY. Chicago, IL has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Syracuse, NY has better air quality on average: 31.0 AQI versus 31.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Chicago, IL is equivalent to roughly $93,395 in Syracuse, NY (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
