Performance
Score Breakdown
Messina
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Messina is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
48% lower compared to Syracuse.
Housing costs are a major driver: Messina's average rent is
64% lower than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Messina | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $555 | $1,546 | -64% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $189 | $327 | -42% |
| Transport | $44 | $120 | -63% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,338 | $2,593 | -48% |
| Cost Index | 74 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Syracuse offers 62% 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 Messina is estimated at
$16,512 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Messina | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $21,984 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $16,512 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 29,708 idx | 56,820 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Messina | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 80.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Messina has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
9,000 minutes (150 hours) per year compared to Syracuse.
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 | Messina | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 57.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Messina is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Syracuse.
From a growth perspective, Syracuse is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Syracuse has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Messina | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 215,849 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 48.6 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 12.20% | 5.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Messina
Advantages
Messina's cost of living is 13.9% cheaper than Italy overall, making it a relatively affordable city.
The average price for residential rental properties in Messina increased by 7.68% in June 2026 compared to June 2025, indicating a growing rental market.
Tourism, hospitality, and restaurant sectors in Sicily are expected to absorb over 20,000 new workers between July and September 2026, suggesting job opportunities in these areas.
Messina's strategic location as a port city and gateway to mainland Italy provides significant trade and transport advantages.
The city benefits from substantial EU funding for port expansion, upgrades, and public transport, indicating ongoing investment in infrastructure.
Drawbacks
Messina's population is estimated to be declining, with a -0.49% annual decrease in 2026.
The regional unemployment rate in Sicily was 12.2% in 2025, which is higher than the national average of 6.1%.
The median after-tax salary in Messina is $1,832 per month, which may be challenging to cover living expenses for more than 1.5 months.
While tourism is growing, there are concerns about precarious work and labor law irregularities in the Sicilian hospitality sector.
The median age in Italy is 48.6 years, suggesting a potentially aging population in Messina, which could impact future workforce dynamics.
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.
Messina
#5Sicily, Italy
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$555
Avg Salary
$21,984
Cost Index
74
Commute
min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
12.20%
Livability
72
Business
65
Syracuse
#50New 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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