Stockton vs Syracuse: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Stockton, California compare to Syracuse, New York? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Syracuse is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 224% higher in Stockton compared to Syracuse, while rent is 52% higher. State income tax is 13.3% in CA vs 10.9% in NY.
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Syracuse, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $382,000 | $117,900 | +224.0% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,417 | $932 | +52.0% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $71,612 | $43,584 | +64.3% |
| Per Capita Income | $29,095 | $26,472 | +9.9% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 13.3% | 10.9% | +22.0% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.7% | 8.5% | +1.9% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 320,030 | 146,134 | +119.0% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Stockton
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Syracuse
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Stockton costs $382,000 compared to $117,900 in Syracuse — a 224% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,417/mo in Stockton vs $932/mo in Syracuse.
- Income: Median household income is $71,612 in Stockton and $43,584 in Syracuse.
- Taxes: State income tax is 13.3% in California vs 10.9% in New York.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).