Performance
Score Breakdown
Kingsport
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Kingsport is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
46% lower compared to Syracuse.
| Metric | Kingsport | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,400 | $1,546 | -9% |
| Groceries | $0 | $450 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $327 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,400 | $2,593 | -46% |
| Cost Index | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Syracuse offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Kingsport | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $75,000 |
| Household Income | $52,490 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Kingsport | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 72.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
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 | Kingsport | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 57.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Kingsport.
From a growth perspective, Kingsport is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kingsport has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kingsport | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,479 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 43.0 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.30% | 5.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kingsport
Advantages
The overall crime rate in Kingsport is 46% below the national average as of July 2026.
Kingsport's cost of living is significantly lower than the national average.
The average commute time in Kingsport is 19.1 minutes, shorter than the national average.
Kingsport City Schools are highly rated and offer an academically progressive educational platform.
The city offers abundant parks and recreational opportunities, contributing to a high quality of life.
Drawbacks
Kingsport's job growth, while positive, is heavily reliant on a few sectors like healthcare, which could pose challenges if those sectors slow down nationally.
Despite overall safety, some areas of Kingsport have higher crime rates than others.
The city's unemployment rate is 5.3%, which is higher than the national average.
Kingsport has a notable poverty rate, with 15.7% of families living in poverty.
Public transit services, while available, are not as highly rated as ease of travel by car.
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.
Kingsport
#62Tennessee, USA
69.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,400
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.30%
Livability
69
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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