CostIndexUSA

Santa Barbara, CA vs Syracuse, NY Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Santa Barbara
108.8
overall index
$2,275/mo rent
More AffordableNY
Syracuse
95.7
overall index
$1,575/mo rent

Syracuse is moderately cheaper than Santa Barbara — 12.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Santa Barbara, you would need $70,400 in Syracuse. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing46.7%
Santa Barbara
151.4
Syracuse
80.7
🛒 Groceries5.2%
Santa Barbara
105.2
Syracuse
99.7
🚗 Transportation2.6%
Santa Barbara
105.3
Syracuse
102.6
🏥 Healthcare2.5%
Santa Barbara
95.3
Syracuse
92.9
Utilities10.9%
Santa Barbara
149.8
Syracuse
133.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Syracuse, NY
$70,400
$9,600 less needed in Syracuse

Formula: salary × (95.7 ÷ 108.8) = salary × 0.8796. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Santa Barbara, CA

Median Home Price
$510,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,275
Housing Index
151.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.7×

Syracuse, NY

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

Santa Barbara has 46.7% lower housing costs compared to Syracuse.

Income & Job Market

Santa Barbara, CA

Median Household Income
$91,200
Per Capita Income
$52,000
Unemployment Rate
6.1%
Population
88,255
Top Industries
EducationTourismTechnologyHealthcareBiotechnology

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).

Santa Barbara, 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.