City Comparison
Flagstaff vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Syracuse scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Flagstaff
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Syracuse is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
16% lower than in Flagstaff.
Housing costs are a major driver: Flagstaff's average rent is
37% higher than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Flagstaff | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,119 | $1,546 | +37% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $237 | $327 | -28% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $3,076 | $2,593 | +19% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Flagstaff offers 5% higher 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 Flagstaff is estimated at
$58,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Flagstaff | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,250 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 51,907 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $71,512 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Flagstaff runs warmer on average — a 52°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Flagstaff comes out ahead with 296 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Flagstaff sees 40.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Flagstaff | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 28.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 16.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 40.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 296 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Flagstaff scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Flagstaff leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Flagstaff | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Flagstaff.
From a growth perspective, Flagstaff is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Flagstaff | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,445 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.86% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 25.9 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.10% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Flagstaff
Advantages
Median property value in Flagstaff is supported by strong long-term real estate demand, appreciating steadily over recent years.
Over 52% of adult residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, creating an educated, intellectually engaged community.
Exceptional outdoor recreation access, featuring 296 sunny days per year and proximity to national forests and the Grand Canyon.
Thriving local craft beer, coffee, and independent culinary scene anchored by a historic, pedestrian-friendly downtown.
Robust local healthcare sector anchored by Flagstaff Medical Center, providing high-tier regional medical services.
Drawbacks
Average monthly rent exceeds $2,000, creating severe affordability challenges for service workers and renters.
Severe housing inventory constraints driven by strict environmental boundaries and geographic limits on urban expansion.
Heavy winter snowfalls (averaging over 40 inches annually) can create seasonal commuting hurdles and elevated utility heating costs.
Poverty rate sits notably higher than state or national averages due to a large student population earning minimal part-time wages.
Local wages often lag behind the high cost of living compared to larger metropolitan economic hubs in Arizona.
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.
Flagstaff
#475Arizona, USA
54.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,119
Avg Salary
$61,250
Cost Index
118
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
296/yr
Avg Temp
52.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.86%
Unemployment
5.10%
Livability
79
Business
70
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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