The minimum wage in Syracuse is $16.00/hour in 2026. See how it compares to the MIT living wage of $20.50/hour and local cost of living.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Calculate annual, monthly, and weekly income at any hourly wage in Syracuse.
The minimum wage in Syracuse is $16.00/hour, the New York rest-of-state rate. New York sets a regional minimum wage; outside New York City, Long Island, and Westchester, the rest-of-state rate applies, which rose to $16.00 on January 1, 2026 and is indexed to inflation after that. The bigger question for most workers is how that compares to what it actually costs to live in Syracuse. With average 1-bedroom rent near $1,300/month and a cost-of-living index of 92 (US average = 100), the gap between the minimum wage and a true living wage can be significant.
| Benchmark (Syracuse, 2026) | Hourly | Annual (full-time) |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable minimum wage | $16.00 | $33,280 |
| MIT living wage (single adult) | $20.50 | $42,640 |
| MIT living wage (family of four, one earner) | $40.50 | $84,240 |
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| New York City / downstate minimum | $17.00 | $35,360 |
| Average rent (1-bedroom, annual) | - | $15,600 |
Living wage figures: MIT Living Wage Calculator for Onondaga County. Minimum wage reflects the rate applicable to most private employers in Syracuse.
Syracuse anchors Central New York at the crossroads of Interstates 81 and 90, with an economy led by Syracuse University, healthcare, and a major new chapter in semiconductor manufacturing as Micron develops a large chip-fabrication campus in neighboring Clay.
| Local Metric | Syracuse (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 145,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Onondaga County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 92 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $20.50/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $40.50/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $16.00/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,300/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,550/month |
| Median home price | $200,000 |
| Median household income | $45,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 8% |
| Effective property tax rate | 2.8% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
The minimum wage in Syracuse is $16.00/hour, the New York rest-of-state rate. New York sets a regional minimum wage; outside New York City, Long Island, and Westchester, the rest-of-state rate applies, which rose to $16.00 on January 1, 2026 and is indexed to inflation after that. A full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks) earns about $33,280 per year gross before taxes at that rate.
Not for a single adult. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates a single adult in Onondaga County needs about $20.50/hour (roughly $42,640/year) to cover basic costs. That is $4.50/hour above the applicable minimum wage, and a one-earner family of four needs closer to $40.50/hour.
At $16.00/hour, full-time work (2,080 hours/year) produces about $33,280 gross. Part-time at 30 hours/week is roughly $24,960/year. Average 1-bedroom rent in Syracuse is about $1,300/month, or $15,600/year.
Syracuse uses the New York rest-of-state minimum wage rather than a separate city ordinance. New York sets regional minimums and indexes them to inflation each year.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour and has not changed since 2009. New York's higher state minimum applies in Syracuse instead.