Salary Needed to Live in Syracuse as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $55,316/year to live comfortably in Syracuse, NY, including 10% savings.
Direct Answer
A single person needs about $55,316/year to live comfortably in Syracuse, NY. The bare-minimum salary is $47,633/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 10% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,227.
The minimum scenario leaves about $2,858/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $4,610/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$55,316
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$47,633
$3,969/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$2,858
21% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Syracuse
| Expense | Syracuse | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1BR Rent | $727 | $1,351 | -46% |
| Groceries | $272 | $207 | +31% |
| Utilities | $119 | $169 | -30% |
| Transportation | $338 | $316 | +7% |
| Car Insurance | $191 | $229 | -17% |
| Health Insurance | $618 | $690 | -10% |
| Internet | $60 | $65 | -8% |
| Phone | $78 | $85 | -8% |
| Dining & Social | $276 | $300 | -8% |
| Entertainment | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Personal Care | $69 | $75 | -8% |
| Total Monthly | $2,858 | $3,607 | -21% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$2,858
Target savings (10%):$369/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,227
Effective tax rate:28%
Gross annual salary needed:$55,316
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$727
Studio/1BR rent is 25% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
28%
Estimated federal plus NY state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
10%
$369/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
92/100
Syracuse is below the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby northeast Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep studio/1br housing near $727/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $593/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone.
- Use $47,633/year as the survival floor and $55,316/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Syracuse
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in Syracuse?
A single person needs approximately $55,316/year ($4,610/month gross) to live comfortably in Syracuse with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Syracuse?
A studio/1br in Syracuse costs approximately $727/month, which is the largest single expense at 25% of the total budget.
Is Syracuse affordable for a single person?
Yes, Syracuse is 21% more affordable than the national average for a single person.