Syracuse, NY vs Watertown, NY: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Watertown, NY is 8.4% less expensive than Syracuse, NY (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Syracuse works out to about $68,700 in Watertown, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 34.1% less in Watertown. Goods are 0.0% higher and other services 0.0% higher.
- Typical asking rent is $1,496 a month in Watertown and $1,627 in Syracuse, $1,572 a year less in Watertown (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $234,000 in Watertown and $269,000 in Syracuse.
- The gap has widened since 2019, when Watertown was 0.0% less expensive than Syracuse.
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 34.1% lower in Watertown than in Syracuse
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Syracuse, NY
- Watertown, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Syracuse, NY | Watertown, NY | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 95.7 | 87.7 |
| Goods | 99.7 | 99.7 |
| Housing (rents) | 80.7 | 53.2 |
| Utilities | 133.4 | 132.2 |
| Other services | 97.8 | 97.8 |
| Category | Syracuse | Watertown | Watertown vs Syracuse |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 95.7 | 87.7 | −8.4% |
| Goods | 99.7 | 99.7 | 0.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 80.7 | 53.2 | −34.1% |
| Utilities | 133.4 | 132.2 | −0.9% |
| Other services | 97.8 | 97.8 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,627 | $1,496 | −8.1% |
| Typical home value | $269,000 | $234,000 | −13.0% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Syracuse | $75,000 | $68,700 | −8.4% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Syracuse and Watertown has widened since 2008: 5.0 points then, 8.1 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Syracuse, NY
- Watertown, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Syracuse, NY | Watertown, NY | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.5 | 93.5 |
| 2009 | 98.2 | 96.8 |
| 2010 | 97.8 | 96.8 |
| 2011 | 97.9 | 99.0 |
| 2012 | 95.7 | 98.8 |
| 2013 | 96.9 | 97.3 |
| 2014 | 95.8 | 97.1 |
| 2015 | 99.3 | 97.2 |
| 2016 | 99.0 | 98.4 |
| 2017 | 98.9 | 98.5 |
| 2018 | 97.6 | 96.8 |
| 2019 | 95.1 | 95.0 |
| 2020 | 95.9 | 90.7 |
| 2021 | 96.3 | 93.7 |
| 2022 | 93.5 | 93.9 |
| 2023 | 95.7 | 90.9 |
| 2024 | 95.7 | 87.7 |
Goods
- Syracuse, NY
- Watertown, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Syracuse, NY | Watertown, NY | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 101.3 | 101.3 |
| 2009 | 101.5 | 101.5 |
| 2010 | 98.3 | 98.3 |
| 2011 | 98.0 | 98.0 |
| 2012 | 96.9 | 96.9 |
| 2013 | 97.0 | 97.0 |
| 2014 | 97.0 | 97.0 |
| 2015 | 98.7 | 98.7 |
| 2016 | 98.1 | 98.1 |
| 2017 | 98.4 | 98.4 |
| 2018 | 100.1 | 100.1 |
| 2019 | 97.1 | 97.1 |
| 2020 | 98.6 | 98.6 |
| 2021 | 95.4 | 95.4 |
| 2022 | 96.4 | 96.4 |
| 2023 | 97.4 | 97.4 |
| 2024 | 99.7 | 99.7 |
Housing (rents)
- Syracuse, NY
- Watertown, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Syracuse, NY | Watertown, NY | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 81.6 | 64.4 |
| 2009 | 81.1 | 78.8 |
| 2010 | 86.5 | 83.4 |
| 2011 | 88.6 | 95.3 |
| 2012 | 78.7 | 95.7 |
| 2013 | 79.0 | 83.9 |
| 2014 | 82.3 | 91.1 |
| 2015 | 90.7 | 83.1 |
| 2016 | 88.8 | 89.5 |
| 2017 | 84.6 | 87.1 |
| 2018 | 86.9 | 85.8 |
| 2019 | 78.1 | 81.9 |
| 2020 | 79.7 | 64.6 |
| 2021 | 83.5 | 73.2 |
| 2022 | 76.1 | 81.3 |
| 2023 | 79.6 | 64.2 |
| 2024 | 80.7 | 53.2 |
Utilities
- Syracuse, NY
- Watertown, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Syracuse, NY | Watertown, NY | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 140.3 | 142.5 |
| 2009 | 140.0 | 142.1 |
| 2010 | 138.1 | 138.9 |
| 2011 | 137.0 | 136.4 |
| 2012 | 129.5 | 130.4 |
| 2013 | 134.5 | 132.8 |
| 2014 | 133.7 | 133.2 |
| 2015 | 125.2 | 123.9 |
| 2016 | 123.7 | 123.2 |
| 2017 | 127.3 | 126.7 |
| 2018 | 134.1 | 133.4 |
| 2019 | 132.0 | 132.2 |
| 2020 | 132.1 | 131.7 |
| 2021 | 132.9 | 131.5 |
| 2022 | 131.4 | 130.1 |
| 2023 | 131.3 | 128.7 |
| 2024 | 133.4 | 132.2 |
Other services
- Syracuse, NY
- Watertown, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Syracuse, NY | Watertown, NY | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 100.7 | 100.7 |
| 2009 | 100.6 | 100.6 |
| 2010 | 99.6 | 99.6 |
| 2011 | 99.2 | 99.2 |
| 2012 | 99.6 | 99.6 |
| 2013 | 101.4 | 101.4 |
| 2014 | 97.8 | 97.8 |
| 2015 | 101.2 | 101.2 |
| 2016 | 101.7 | 101.7 |
| 2017 | 102.7 | 102.7 |
| 2018 | 98.4 | 98.4 |
| 2019 | 98.4 | 98.4 |
| 2020 | 99.2 | 99.2 |
| 2021 | 99.8 | 99.8 |
| 2022 | 96.7 | 96.7 |
| 2023 | 99.2 | 99.2 |
| 2024 | 97.8 | 97.8 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,496 in Watertown vs $1,627 in Syracuse
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Syracuse, NY
- Watertown, NY
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Syracuse, NY | Watertown, NY | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | – | – | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | – | – | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | – | – | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | – | – | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $932 | – | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $959 | – | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $926 | – | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $944 | – | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $982 | – | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $944 | – | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $970 | – | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $991 | – | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $995 | – | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,000 | – | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $997 | – | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,010 | – | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,009 | – | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,029 | – | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,045 | – | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,038 | – | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,051 | – | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,094 | – | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,107 | – | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,092 | – | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,134 | – | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,191 | – | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,219 | – | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,243 | – | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,261 | $1,212 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,325 | $1,207 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,336 | $1,241 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,341 | $1,215 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,352 | $1,253 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,394 | $1,292 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,397 | $1,289 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,422 | $1,263 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,461 | $1,336 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,486 | $1,343 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,489 | $1,334 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,521 | $1,331 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,535 | $1,358 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,559 | $1,367 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,576 | $1,392 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,588 | $1,412 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,630 | $1,458 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,623 | $1,458 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,627 | $1,496 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $234,000 in Watertown vs $269,000 in Syracuse
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Syracuse, NY
- Watertown, NY
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Syracuse, NY | Watertown, NY | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $125K | $146K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $126K | $147K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $127K | $148K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $128K | $146K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $129K | $147K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $130K | $146K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $130K | $145K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $132K | $145K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $132K | $144K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $132K | $143K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $134K | $145K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $136K | $146K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $137K | $146K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $138K | $148K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $142K | $151K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $142K | $150K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $144K | $151K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $145K | $152K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $147K | $154K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $149K | $156K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $151K | $157K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $153K | $158K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $158K | $159K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $165K | $167K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $171K | $172K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $178K | $177K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $181K | $179K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $181K | $179K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $187K | $186K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $197K | $196K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $201K | $199K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $201K | $199K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $202K | $197K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $210K | $199K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $218K | $205K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $222K | $209K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $225K | $209K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $234K | $216K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $240K | $220K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $244K | $221K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $245K | $220K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $248K | $220K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $252K | $221K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $255K | $222K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $260K | $225K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $265K | $232K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $269K | $234K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.