City Comparison
Dunedin vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Syracuse scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Dunedin
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dunedin is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
36% lower than in Syracuse.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dunedin's average rent is
36% lower than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Dunedin | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $997 | $1,546 | -36% |
| Groceries | $382 | $450 | -15% |
| Utilities | $152 | $327 | -54% |
| Transport | $71 | $120 | -41% |
| Healthcare | $45 | $150 | -70% |
| Monthly Total | $1,647 | $2,593 | -36% |
| Cost Index | 135 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Syracuse offers 31% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Syracuse delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Dunedin is estimated at
$45,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Dunedin | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $40,428 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 29,947 idx | 56,820 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Dunedin runs warmer on average — a 51.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Dunedin comes out ahead with 203 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Dunedin sees 5.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Dunedin | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 50.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 49.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 45.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 5.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 203 | |
| Humidity | 80.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Dunedin leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Dunedin | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Dunedin.
From a growth perspective, Syracuse is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Dunedin has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Dunedin | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,331 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.08% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Dunedin
Advantages
Dunedin's cost of living is approximately 31% lower than in Auckland, making it a more affordable major city in New Zealand.
The city boasts a strong educational sector, anchored by the University of Otago, New Zealand's oldest university, fostering a vibrant academic and research environment.
Dunedin offers exceptional access to natural beauty and wildlife, particularly on the Otago Peninsula, home to rare penguins and albatrosses.
The average commute time in Dunedin is relatively short, estimated at around 20 minutes, contributing to a better work-life balance.
The median weekly rent for all properties in Dunedin City was $520 NZD (approximately $292 USD) as of April 2026, indicating reasonable housing costs.
Drawbacks
The average annual salary in Dunedin, at $40,428 USD, is lower than the national average for New Zealand.
While public transport exists, the city's transit infrastructure may not be as extensive as larger international cities, potentially leading to higher car dependency for some residents.
Specific, up-to-date data for certain economic metrics like job growth rate and new business growth rate for Dunedin were not readily available from highly authoritative sources.
The city's geographic isolation on the South Island of New Zealand can mean fewer direct international travel options compared to Auckland or Christchurch.
The cost of living, while lower than Auckland, is still 35% above the global median, indicating it's not an exceptionally cheap place to live globally.
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.
Dunedin
#51Otago, New Zealand
47.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$997
Avg Salary
$40,428
Cost Index
135
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
203/yr
Avg Temp
51.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
5.08%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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