Performance
Score Breakdown
Montreal
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Montreal is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
23% lower compared to Syracuse.
Housing costs are a major driver: Montreal's average rent is
13% lower than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Montreal | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,351 | $1,546 | -13% |
| Groceries | $356 | $450 | -21% |
| Utilities | $107 | $327 | -67% |
| Transport | $100 | $120 | -17% |
| Healthcare | $71 | $150 | -53% |
| Monthly Total | $1,985 | $2,593 | -23% |
| Cost Index | 63 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Syracuse offers 9% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Montreal delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Montreal is estimated at
$42,780 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Montreal | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $53,475 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $42,780 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 84,881 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $45,335 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Montreal | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Montreal.
Montreal scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Montreal leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Montreal | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 77.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 87.0/10 | 57.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 39.78 | |
| Car Dependency | Low | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Montreal is the larger city
— approximately 13.2x the population of Syracuse.
From a growth perspective, Montreal 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 | Montreal | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,945,359 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 5.30% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 40.6 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 6.80% | 5.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Montreal
Advantages
Montreal boasts a vibrant cultural scene with numerous festivals and events year-round, including the Just For Laughs Festival and the Montreal Fireworks Festival.
The city is highly walkable (Walk Score 87) and offers excellent public transportation (Transit Score 77), reducing the need for a car.
Montreal is North America's most bike-friendly city, with over 1,065 kilometers of bike lanes and paths.
The cost of living in Montreal is generally more affordable than in other major Canadian cities like Toronto and Vancouver.
Montreal's economy is diverse and resilient, with strong growth in sectors like aerospace, information technology, and digital media.
Drawbacks
Crimes against persons and hate crimes increased in Montreal in 2024.
Traffic congestion is a notable issue, with Montreal ranking among the most congested cities globally.
While overall rent is more affordable than some major cities, average rent prices have been consistently increasing.
The unemployment rate, while showing recent declines, climbed to 7.8% in 2024 before improving to 6.8% by December 2025.
The average commute time in Montreal is 29 minutes, which is among the highest in Canadian metro areas.
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.
Montreal
#5Quebec, Canada
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,351
Avg Salary
$53,475
Cost Index
63
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
77.0/10
Walkability
87.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
5.30%
Unemployment
6.80%
Livability
85
Business
75
Syracuse
#56New 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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