City Comparison
Leavenworth vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Leavenworth scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Leavenworth
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Leavenworth is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Syracuse.
Housing costs are a major driver: Leavenworth's average rent is
26% lower than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Leavenworth | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,546 | -26% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $165 | $327 | -50% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $2,025 | $2,593 | -22% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Leavenworth offers 6% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Leavenworth delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Leavenworth is estimated at
$50,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Leavenworth | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,391 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $68,000 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Leavenworth runs warmer on average — a 56.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Leavenworth comes out ahead with 267 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Leavenworth sees 17.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Leavenworth | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 21.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 44.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 17.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 267 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Leavenworth.
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 | Leavenworth | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Leavenworth.
From a growth perspective, Leavenworth is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Leavenworth has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Leavenworth | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,500 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.60% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Leavenworth
Advantages
Fort Leavenworth provides robust local economic stability and high-paying federal and civilian jobs.
Housing costs remain significantly more affordable than the nearby Kansas City metropolitan average.
Rich historic downtown district featuring local shops, dining, and well-preserved 19th-century architecture.
Abundant outdoor recreation options along the Missouri River and local municipal parks.
Strong sense of community with a welcoming, patriotic environment for military families and retirees.
Drawbacks
Limited public transit options make owning a personal vehicle essentially mandatory for daily life.
Local property tax rates can be relatively high compared to some surrounding Kansas counties.
Winter weather brings freezing temperatures and occasional heavy snowfall requiring careful road maintenance.
Nightlife and entertainment options are somewhat modest, requiring trips into Kansas City for major events.
Retail and dining variety is more restricted compared to larger neighboring urban centers.
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.
Leavenworth
#273Kansas, USA
61.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
267/yr
Avg Temp
56.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.60%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
72
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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