Syracuse, NY Utility & Living Guide

⚡ Featured Deal

Essentials for Your New Home

🛒 Shop This Deal Now

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Tier 2 Location

Syracuse, NY Utility & Living Guide

Syracuse is a city in New York, United States, and the county seat of Onondaga County. With a population of 148,620 and a metropolitan area of 662,057, it is the fifth-most populated city and 13th-most populated municipality in the state of New York.

Last updated: June 26, 2026
Total Utilities$335/mo
1BR Rent$1200/mo
Sales Tax8%
COL Index105 (+5% above national average)
Family Score6/10
Median Home$220,000
📷 Live Cameras — Syracuse
Live camera
Live · refreshing...
🌤️ Live Weather — Syracuse
Loading weather...
⚠️ Natural Hazard History — Syracuse
Loading hazard data...
💼 Calculate Your Future Retirement Income

Moving Your Assets to Syracuse?

Moving to Syracuse? Find out how much retirement income you could generate based on your current savings, age, and goals. Calculate Your Retirement Income → Free · Takes 2 minutes · No personal data required
💰 Budget Calculator
🔌 Utilities
🏠 Housing
📊 Cost of Living
💰 Taxes
👨‍👩‍👧 Families
🧮 Tools

Monthly Utility Costs

⚡ Electric

$120/mo

National Grid
🔥 Gas

$80/mo

National Grid
💧 Water

$45/mo

Onondaga County Water Authority
🗑️ Garbage

$25/mo

Syracuse Department of Public Works
📶 Internet

$65/mo

Combined Average Overhead$335/month

Housing Market

Rent & Property
1 Bedroom$1200/mo
2 Bedrooms$1600/mo
3 Bedrooms$2100/mo
Median Home Price$220,000
Property Tax Rate2.89%
Avg Childcare/mo$1000

Syracuse’s housing market is relatively affordable compared to national averages, with a mix of historic homes and modern developments. Inventory is tight in popular neighborhoods like Eastwood and Strathmore.

Cost of Living

Overall COL Index

105

US national avg = 100
vs National Avg

+5% above national average

Groceries

102

Transportation

98

Healthcare

100

Childcare/mo

$1000

Tax Rates

Tax Overview
Total Sales Tax8%
Property Tax Rate2.89%
<p>State 4% + County 4% + City 0%</p>

New York State has progressive income tax rates ranging from 4% to 8.82%.

Family & Relocation

Family Vibe Score
6/10
Safety Index

50

Higher = safer
School Rating

6.5/10

GreatSchools avg
Avg Childcare

$1000/mo

City Pulse

Population Trend
-0.5% (declining)
Political Climate
Blue (Democratic stronghold in a purple state)
Business Momentum
Moderate with key industries in education, healthcare, and manufacturing
Top Local Concerns
Property taxes, infrastructure maintenance, economic development
🚌 Transit for Families

CENTRO bus system has limited accessibility for strollers. Some areas have good sidewalk coverage.

🎡 Top Kid Attractions
  • 🎯
    Rosamond Gifford Zoo
  • 🎯
    Museum of Science & Technology
  • 🎯
    Onondaga Lake Park

Best Neighborhoods for Families

Eastwood offers affordable single-family homes with good schools. Strathmore has historic charm and walkable amenities. Sedgwick is popular for its proximity to downtown.

Household Budget Calculator

Estimate your real monthly cost of living in Syracuse based on your household profile.

Financial Tools

Calculators
Planning Tools

Find Another City Guide

Search by city name or ZIP code to find utility costs, housing data and cost of living guides.

📊 Syracuse — Census & Demographic Data

Official data from the US Census Bureau, American Community Survey.

💰 Median Household Income
$40,490
👤 Median Age
31.7
🏠 Homeownership Rate
39.6%
🔑 Renter Rate
60.4%
📉 Poverty Rate
30.1%
💼 Unemployment Rate
9.4%
📡 Internet Access
76.8%
🎓 College Educated
25.0%

☀️ Seasonal Utility Costs

Winter heating costs can double gas bills from December-February. Summer AC use increases electric bills by about 30%.

🏛️ Local Tax Details

Syracuse city property tax rate is $29.45 per $1,000 assessed value. School taxes vary by district.

👶 Family & Stroller Friendliness

6/10: Decent sidewalks in core neighborhoods but some areas need repair. Limited elevator access in older buildings.

📰 Latest NY Stories

New York Living Report — July 27, 2026

New York State, with a population of 19,994,379, offers a complex tapestry of urban and rural life. Finklick,...

Read more →

New York Living Report — July 26, 2026

For anyone contemplating a move to New York, the numbers provide a sobering yet essential starting point. The...

Read more →

New York Living Report — July 25, 2026

The Empire State is far more than its iconic, five-borough city. For anyone considering relocating to New York,...

Read more →

New York Living Report — July 24, 2026

New York State is a study in contrasts, a place where the pulsing energy of a global metropolis...

Read more →
Amazon

Get your home essentials, storage, and moving supplies delivered.

Shop Moving Essentials

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.