City Comparison
Lakeville vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lakeville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lakeville
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Syracuse is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
23% lower than in Lakeville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lakeville's average rent is
56% higher than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Lakeville | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,405 | $1,546 | +56% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $185 | $327 | -43% |
| Transport | $125 | $120 | +4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $150 | +60% |
| Monthly Total | $3,375 | $2,593 | +30% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lakeville offers 33% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Lakeville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lakeville is estimated at
$62,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Lakeville | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,222 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $139,041 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lakeville runs warmer on average — a 46.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lakeville comes out ahead with 257 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lakeville sees 32.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lakeville | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 7.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 32.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 257 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Lakeville.
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 | Lakeville | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Lakeville.
From a growth perspective, Lakeville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Lakeville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lakeville | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,270 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lakeville
Advantages
Median household income in Lakeville reaches approximately $139,041 per year per U.S. Census Bureau data.
The city boasts an exceptional safety profile with crime rates significantly below the national average.
Lakeville Area Schools (ISD 194) provide top-tier educational opportunities and high student achievement.
Abundant natural amenities include multiple lakes and over 60 parks with extensive recreational trails.
Strong local job growth and low unemployment rates support a stable and thriving local economy.
Drawbacks
Cost of living and home purchase prices exceed the national average, creating affordability hurdles.
High car dependency means limited public transit options for daily non-driving commuters.
Rental housing markets are competitive, with rising average rents across multi-family properties.
Winters feature prolonged sub-freezing temperatures and heavy seasonal snowfall management requirements.
Traffic congestion can peak during traditional rush hours along major thoroughfares like Interstate 35.
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.
Lakeville
#66Minnesota, USA
69.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,405
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
257/yr
Avg Temp
46.60°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
83
Business
76
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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