City Comparison
Gießen vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Gießen scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Gießen
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Gießen is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
37% lower than in Syracuse.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gießen's average rent is
45% lower than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Gießen | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,546 | -45% |
| Groceries | $320 | $450 | -29% |
| Utilities | $220 | $327 | -33% |
| Transport | $55 | $120 | -54% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $150 | +33% |
| Monthly Total | $1,645 | $2,593 | -37% |
| Cost Index | 72 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Syracuse offers 23% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Gießen delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Gießen is estimated at
$38,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Gießen | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $38,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,500 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $48,000 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Gießen runs warmer on average — a 50.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Gießen comes out ahead with 254 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Gießen sees 9.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Gießen | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 76.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 31.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 26.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 9.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 254 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Gießen.
Gießen scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Gießen leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Gießen | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 70.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 78.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Gießen.
From a growth perspective, Gießen 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 | Gießen | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 93,500 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.30% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Gießen
Advantages
Justus Liebig University and TH Mittelhessen drive a young, vibrant, and culturally rich local atmosphere.
Extensive regional rail connectivity provides direct and rapid access to Frankfurt am Main and surrounding hubs.
Abundant green spaces, parks, and proximity to the Lahn river valley offer excellent outdoor recreation.
Renting and general living costs remain notably lower than in nearby major metropolitan centers like Frankfurt.
High concentration of top-tier medical facilities anchored by the university hospital guarantees exceptional healthcare access.
Drawbacks
Competitive rental housing market during peak university enrollment periods leads to constrained availability for small apartments.
Bicycle theft rates are higher than the national average due to the heavy reliance on cycling among students.
Local employment opportunities are heavily concentrated in education and healthcare, with fewer corporate headquarters.
Winter months can feature prolonged overcast days with limited direct sunlight despite a solid annual average.
Traffic congestion during peak morning and evening commuting hours can affect major arterial roads entering the city.
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.
Gießen
#8Hesse, Germany
68.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
72
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
70.0/100
Walkability
78.0/100
Sunny Days
254/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
5.30%
Livability
76
Business
65
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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