Performance
Score Breakdown
Syracuse
New York City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Syracuse is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
44% lower compared to New York City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Syracuse's average rent is
54% lower than New York City's.
| Metric | Syracuse | New York City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,546 | $3,382 | -54% |
| Groceries | $450 | $520 | -13% |
| Utilities | $327 | $370 | -12% |
| Transport | $120 | $130 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $250 | -40% |
| Monthly Total | $2,593 | $4,652 | -44% |
| Cost Index | 103 | 178 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
New York City offers 42% 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 Syracuse is estimated at
$75,000 vs $61,000 in New York City.
| Metric | Syracuse | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,525 | $100,877 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $61,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 56,820 idx | 56,672 idx |
| Household Income | $47,819 | $80,483 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Syracuse | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 63.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
12,500 minutes (208 hours) per year compared to New York City.
New York City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, New York City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Syracuse | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 43 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 88.0/10 |
| Walkability | 57.0/10 | 89.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 167.60 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Low |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New York City is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Syracuse is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, New York City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Syracuse | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,822 | 8,585,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | % |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 38.2 |
| Unemployment | 5.10% | 4.90% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $1,354.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
New York City
Advantages
New York City is the most linguistically diverse city globally, with an estimated 800 languages spoken.
The city boasts a world-class public transportation system, with a transit score of 88 and a walkability score of 89.
New York City's private sector employment reached a record high of 4.25 million jobs in December 2024.
Overall index crime in New York City saw a nearly 3% reduction in 2024, marking the second consecutive year of declines.
New York City is a global hub for finance, media, tech, healthcare, and tourism, offering unparalleled opportunities.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in New York City is 78% higher than the national average, making it one of the most expensive cities globally.
Median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Manhattan reached $4,595 in April 2024.
The city experienced a population decline of 12,000 residents between June 2024 and July 2025.
New York City has a high traffic index of 167.6 and an average commute time of 43.34 minutes.
Housing affordability has reached a crisis due to high costs and a slow pace of new housing construction.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Syracuse
#49New 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
New York City
#64New York, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,382
Avg Salary
$100,877
Cost Index
178
Commute
43 min
Transit Score
88.0/10
Walkability
89.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
70
Business
62
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