Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
19% cheaper
Syracuse is 19% more affordable than Ann Arbor. A $75,000 salary in Ann Arbor is equivalent to $60,526 in Syracuse.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Michigan salaries · New York salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Ann Arbor has a housing index of 135 while Syracuse sits at 69 (national average = 100). The median home in Ann Arbor costs $400,000 compared to $140,000 in Syracuse, a difference of $260,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,600 in Ann Arbor versus $950 in Syracuse.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Ann Arbor scores 101 while Syracuse scores 101. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Ann Arbor (101) are higher than Syracuse (100). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Ann Arbor is $65,024 compared to $36,708 in Syracuse. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Syracuse.
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