City Comparison
Detroit vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Syracuse scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Detroit
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Detroit is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
17% lower compared to Syracuse.
Housing costs are a major driver: Detroit's average rent is
21% lower than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Detroit | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,225 | $1,546 | -21% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $397 | $327 | +21% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,142 | $2,593 | -17% |
| Cost Index | 100 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Syracuse offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Detroit | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $75,000 |
| Household Income | $39,938 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Detroit runs warmer on average — a 50.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Detroit comes out ahead with 245 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Detroit sees 31 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Detroit | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 33.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 31.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 245 | |
| Humidity | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Detroit has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
9,000 minutes (150 hours) per year compared to Syracuse.
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 | Detroit | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 57.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Detroit is the larger city
— approximately 4.4x the population of Syracuse.
From a growth perspective, Syracuse is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Syracuse has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Detroit | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,499 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.22% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 10.60% | 5.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Detroit
Advantages
Detroit's population has grown for three consecutive years, indicating a positive trend in urban revitalization.
The cost of living in Detroit is comparable to the national average, with housing costs being significantly lower than many other major U.S. cities.
The city's economy is diversifying beyond automotive, with growth in advanced manufacturing, healthcare, information technology, and logistics.
Detroit's labor force expanded by 2.9% between May 2025 and May 2026, showing resilience and job opportunities.
The median age of 35.2 years suggests a relatively young and dynamic population.
Drawbacks
Detroit's unemployment rate remains elevated at 10.6% in Q1 2026, higher than the national average.
Median household income in Detroit is $39,938, which is considerably lower than the national median.
The city still faces a high poverty rate, reported at 32.7% in the 2020-2024 ACS.
Utility costs, particularly electricity, can be higher than the national average in Detroit.
Car dependency is medium, and public transit options, while improving, may not be as comprehensive as in some other major cities.
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.
Detroit
#61Michigan, USA
61.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,225
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
100
Commute
min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
245/yr
Avg Temp
50.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.22%
Unemployment
10.60%
Livability
65
Business
70
Syracuse
#20New York, USA
69.5 / 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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