Performance
Score Breakdown
Danville
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Danville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
21% lower compared to Syracuse.
Housing costs are a major driver: Danville's average rent is
35% lower than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Danville | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,000 | $1,546 | -35% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $229 | $327 | -30% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $2,049 | $2,593 | -21% |
| Cost Index | 87 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Danville offers 9% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Danville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Danville is estimated at
$64,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Danville | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $63,871 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $64,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,415 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $44,423 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Danville | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 69.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Syracuse scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Syracuse leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Danville | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 26.0/10 | 57.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Danville.
From a growth perspective, Syracuse is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Syracuse has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Danville | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 41,493 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.60% | 5.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Danville
Advantages
Danville boasts a significantly lower cost of living compared to the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
The city is experiencing substantial economic development, including a $1.6 billion investment in a new manufacturing facility creating over 1,800 jobs.
Danville's housing market is highly affordable, with a housing affordability index of 138 in 2024, well above the state average.
The tourism sector in Danville is Virginia's fastest-growing, with visitor spending increasing by 23.5% in 2024.
Sovah Health Danville received an 'A' safety grade in Spring 2024, indicating high-quality care in specific medical procedures and conditions.
Drawbacks
Danville's overall population is projected to decline annually, primarily due to deaths outnumbering births, despite positive in-migration.
The city has a higher total crime index (145 in 2024) compared to the national average (100), indicating a greater prevalence of crime.
Danville is a car-dependent city, with a low Walk Score of 26, meaning most errands require a vehicle.
The median household income in Danville ($44,423 in 2024) is significantly lower than the statewide median income.
Sovah Health Danville has an overall CMS hospital rating of 2 out of 5 stars as of April 2026, suggesting areas for improvement in overall quality despite good safety.
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.
Danville
#49Virginia, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,000
Avg Salary
$63,871
Cost Index
87
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
26.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
70
Business
75
Syracuse
#49New York, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,546
Avg Salary
$58,525
Cost Index
103
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
57.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
5.10%
Livability
70
Business
70
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