Rochester, NY vs Syracuse, NY

Rochester, NY and Syracuse, NY have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.4% difference in their overall index. Rochester scores 76 while Syracuse scores 74 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Rochester is $1,039/month compared to $998/month in Syracuse — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Syracuse has cheaper rent, Rochester actually has lower median home values ($120,600 vs $125,100).

Median household income in Rochester is $46,628 compared to $45,845 in Syracuse (+1.7%). The higher salaries in Rochester partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Rochester spend roughly 26.7% of their income on rent, more than the 26.1% in Syracuse.