City Comparison
Lumsden vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lumsden scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lumsden
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lumsden is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
35% lower than in Syracuse.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lumsden's average rent is
39% lower than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Lumsden | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,546 | -39% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $160 | $327 | -51% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $50 | $150 | -67% |
| Monthly Total | $1,690 | $2,593 | -35% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Syracuse offers 23% 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 Lumsden is estimated at
$40,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Lumsden | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $40,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,878 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $48,000 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lumsden runs warmer on average — a 49.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lumsden comes out ahead with 195 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lumsden sees 13.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lumsden | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 47.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 47.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 55.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 13.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 195 | |
| Humidity | 78.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Lumsden has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Syracuse.
Syracuse scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lumsden leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lumsden | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 15.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Lumsden is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Lumsden has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lumsden | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 450 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 42.0 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lumsden
Advantages
Median home prices in Southland remain significantly more affordable than the national New Zealand average per REINZ data.
Extremely low crime rates provide a safe, secure environment for families and retirees.
Proximity to world-class trout fishing rivers and the Around the Mountains Cycle Trail offers unmatched outdoor recreation.
A strong, welcoming community spirit with active local clubs and volunteer organizations.
Peaceful rural atmosphere with minimal traffic congestion and clean southern air.
Drawbacks
Limited local employment diversity, heavily dependent on the agricultural and farming sectors.
Scarcity of rental housing options makes finding accommodation challenging for newcomers.
High car dependency with virtually no local public transit network.
Distance from major urban centers means traveling over an hour for specialized shopping and secondary healthcare.
Cooler winter climate requires higher expenditure on residential heating.
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.
Lumsden
#12Southland, New Zealand
67.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
195/yr
Avg Temp
49.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
75
Business
62
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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