City Comparison
Erlangen vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Erlangen scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Erlangen
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Erlangen is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Syracuse.
Housing costs are a major driver: Erlangen's average rent is
13% lower than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Erlangen | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,546 | -13% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $220 | $327 | -33% |
| Transport | $95 | $120 | -21% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $150 | +60% |
| Monthly Total | $2,325 | $2,593 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Erlangen offers 6% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Erlangen delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Erlangen is estimated at
$52,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Erlangen | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,407 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $64,000 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Erlangen runs warmer on average — a 50.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Erlangen comes out ahead with 248 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Erlangen sees 8.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Erlangen | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 77.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 30.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 27.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 8.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Erlangen.
Erlangen scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Erlangen leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Erlangen | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 78.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 82.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Low | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Erlangen.
From a growth perspective, Erlangen is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Erlangen has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Erlangen | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,084 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Erlangen
Advantages
World-class healthcare infrastructure anchored by the Universitätsklinikum Erlangen
Exceptional cycling infrastructure and high overall walkability scores
Thriving high-tech job market led by Siemens Healthineers and major research facilities
Very low crime rates and high overall community safety profile
Vibrant cultural scene combining traditional Franconian heritage with a diverse student population
Drawbacks
Competitive and expensive housing market with high rental costs
Cost of living significantly exceeds the German national average
Limited availability of parking in the historic city center
Cooler, overcast winter months with limited direct sunlight
High demand for real estate creates significant pressure for newcomers seeking apartments
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.
Erlangen
#20Bavaria, Germany
65.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
78.0/100
Walkability
82.0/100
Sunny Days
248/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
86
Business
82
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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