City Comparison
Belfast vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Belfast scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Belfast
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Belfast is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
24% lower than in Syracuse.
Housing costs are a major driver: Belfast's average rent is
27% lower than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Belfast | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,134 | $1,546 | -27% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $202 | $327 | -38% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,976 | $2,593 | -24% |
| Cost Index | 78 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Syracuse offers 23% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Belfast delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Belfast is estimated at
$38,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Belfast | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $38,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,692 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $41,000 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Belfast runs warmer on average — a 50.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Belfast comes out ahead with 200 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Belfast sees 1.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Belfast | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 66.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 38.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 39.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 1.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 200 | |
| Humidity | 82.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Belfast.
Belfast scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Belfast leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Belfast | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 72.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Belfast is the larger city
— approximately 2.4x the population of Syracuse.
From a growth perspective, Syracuse is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Belfast has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Belfast | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 350,500 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Belfast
Advantages
Average house prices in Belfast remain significantly below the UK average at approximately £185,000, offering superior housing affordability.
Belfast is recognized as a leading European tech and cybersecurity investment destination with robust job creation in digital sectors.
The wider Belfast metropolitan area features world-class natural landscapes, with the Belfast Hills and coastline minutes from the center.
Local public transport, dining, and daily services maintain a lower cost index than nearly all major UK core cities.
The city boasts a famously warm, welcoming community and a vibrant cultural, arts, and live music scene.
Drawbacks
Northern Ireland median earnings remain somewhat lower than the broader UK national median wage.
Economic inactivity rates across the wider region remain higher than the UK national average.
Public transport is heavily reliant on bus networks, lacking a comprehensive urban rail or subway transit system.
Variable weather patterns bring frequent rainfall and limited annual sunshine hours compared to southern European tech hubs.
Certain neighborhoods still exhibit residual social segregation tied to historical community divisions.
Syracuse
Advantages
Syracuse offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to other major cities in New York State.
The city has a growing job market, particularly in healthcare, education, and advanced manufacturing, with significant projects like Micron's semiconductor facility boosting employment opportunities.
Syracuse is home to strong educational institutions, including Syracuse University and SUNY Upstate Medical University, contributing to a vibrant and educated community.
The city boasts a good safety profile, with a violent crime rate significantly below the national average.
Residents benefit from manageable commute times, averaging around 18 minutes.
Drawbacks
Syracuse experiences severe and snowy winters, with heavy annual snowfall.
The city has a higher cost of living than the national average, particularly concerning housing expenses.
Public transportation can be unreliable, contributing to a medium car dependency for residents.
Some areas of the city face challenges with crime and poverty.
Utility costs, especially for heating, can be high due to long, cold winters.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Belfast
#5Northern Ireland, UK
65.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,134
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
78
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
72.0/100
Sunny Days
200/yr
Avg Temp
50.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
78
Business
72
Syracuse
#361New York, USA
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,546
Avg Salary
$58,525
Cost Index
103
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
57.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
5.10%
Livability
70
Business
70
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