CostIndexUSA

Detroit, MI vs Syracuse, NY Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MI
Detroit
100.3
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
More AffordableNY
Syracuse
95.7
overall index
$1,575/mo rent

Syracuse is slightly cheaper than Detroit — 4.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Detroit, you would need $76,300 in Syracuse. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing14.8%
Detroit
94.7
Syracuse
80.7
🛒 Groceries+0.9%
Detroit
98.8
Syracuse
99.7
🚗 Transportation4.7%
Detroit
107.7
Syracuse
102.6
🏥 Healthcare4.7%
Detroit
97.5
Syracuse
92.9
Utilities+24.7%
Detroit
107
Syracuse
133.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Syracuse, NY
$76,300
$3,700 less needed in Syracuse

Formula: salary × (95.7 ÷ 100.3) = salary × 0.9541. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Detroit, MI

Median Home Price
$254,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
94.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.6×

Syracuse, NY

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

Detroit has 14.8% lower housing costs compared to Syracuse.

Income & Job Market

Detroit, MI

Median Household Income
$72,600
Per Capita Income
$41,400
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
672,795
Top Industries
AutomotiveHealthcareTechnologyFinanceManufacturing

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).

Detroit, MI
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.