City Comparison
Johor Bahru vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Johor Bahru scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Johor Bahru
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Johor Bahru is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
56% lower than in Syracuse.
Housing costs are a major driver: Johor Bahru's average rent is
66% lower than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Johor Bahru | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $527 | $1,546 | -66% |
| Groceries | $266 | $450 | -41% |
| Utilities | $180 | $327 | -45% |
| Transport | $13 | $120 | -89% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,136 | $2,593 | -56% |
| Cost Index | 37 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Syracuse offers 98% 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 Johor Bahru is estimated at
$2,137 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Johor Bahru | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $1,106 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $2,137 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 2,989 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $1,896 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Johor Bahru runs warmer on average — a 81.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Johor Bahru comes out ahead with 106 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Johor Bahru sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Johor Bahru | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 81.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 88.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 74.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 96.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 106 | |
| Humidity | 84.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,500 minutes (142 hours) per year compared to Johor Bahru.
Syracuse 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 | Johor Bahru | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 35 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | — | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | — | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Johor Bahru is the larger city
— approximately 28.3x the population of Syracuse.
From a growth perspective, Syracuse is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Johor Bahru has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Johor Bahru | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,190,000 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 31.8 | |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Johor Bahru
Advantages
Johor recorded the highest GDP growth rate among all Malaysian states in 2024 at 6.4%.
The cost of living in Johor Bahru is considerably lower than in major global cities and Kuala Lumpur.
Johor Bahru offers a high quality of life, ranking third highest in Southeast Asia after Singapore and Kuala Lumpur in 2024.
The unemployment rate in Johor was stable at 2.5% as of end-2025, lower than the national average.
The RTS Link, set to open in January 2027, will significantly reduce travel time and congestion between Johor Bahru and Singapore.
Drawbacks
Property prices in Johor Bahru have risen significantly, with serviced apartments up 20.4% and double-storey terrace houses up 8.6% in Q2 2025, potentially outpacing wage growth for some.
The Consumer Price Index in Johor was 141.8 as of July 2026, indicating a rise in prices of over 30% since 2010.
The proposed city center rapid transit project, crucial for alleviating traffic once the RTS Link opens, has not yet commenced physical work as of June 2026.
Despite leading in economic growth, Johor's GDP per capita of around RM37,000 in 2024 remains significantly below the national average of RM56,734.
The property price-to-income ratio in Johor is 9.5x, exceeding the internationally accepted 5x affordability threshold, indicating that housing is relatively expensive compared to household incomes.
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.
Johor Bahru
#69Johor, Malaysia
66.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$527
Avg Salary
$1,106
Cost Index
37
Commute
35 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
106/yr
Avg Temp
81.60°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
2.50%
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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