Performance
Score Breakdown
Flint
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Flint is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
63% lower compared to Syracuse.
Housing costs are a major driver: Flint's average rent is
39% lower than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Flint | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,546 | -39% |
| Groceries | $0 | $450 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $327 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $950 | $2,593 | -63% |
| Cost Index | 78 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Syracuse offers 59% 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 Flint is estimated at
$35,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Flint | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $23,997 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $35,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 30,765 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $37,646 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Flint | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Flint.
Flint 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 | Flint | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 50.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 50.0/10 | 57.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Flint.
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 | Flint | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,175 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 13.10% | 5.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Flint
Advantages
The cost of living in Flint is significantly lower than the national average, making it highly affordable.
Housing costs, including both rent and property values, are considerably more affordable in Flint compared to many other U.S. cities.
Flint is home to important cultural institutions like the Flint Cultural Center, offering artistic and educational attractions.
The city has a strong healthcare infrastructure with three major regional hospitals providing comprehensive medical services.
Employment in Flint saw a growth rate of 2.45% from 2023 to 2024, indicating some positive job market movement.
Drawbacks
Flint has a very high crime rate, with a safety score of 18/100 and violent crime rates significantly above the national average in 2024.
The unemployment rate in Flint was 13.1% in 2026, which is considerably higher than the national average.
A substantial portion of Flint's population, 34.1% in 2024, lives below the poverty line.
Concerns about water quality persist among residents, as highlighted in 2024 community surveys.
The city has experienced a long-term population decline, with the metropolitan area decreasing by 5.3% between 2010 and 2024.
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.
Flint
#18Michigan, USA
74.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$23,997
Cost Index
78
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
50.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
13.10%
Livability
74
Business
0
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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