City Comparison
Perugia vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Perugia scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Perugia
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Perugia is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
47% lower than in Syracuse.
Housing costs are a major driver: Perugia's average rent is
58% lower than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Perugia | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $650 | $1,546 | -58% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $160 | $327 | -51% |
| Transport | $65 | $120 | -46% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $150 | -20% |
| Monthly Total | $1,375 | $2,593 | -47% |
| Cost Index | 54 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Syracuse offers 59% 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 Perugia is estimated at
$21,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Perugia | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $24,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $21,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 44,444 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $28,000 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Perugia | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| 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 Perugia.
Perugia scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Perugia leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Perugia | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 72.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Perugia is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x 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 | Perugia | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 162,384 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.20% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 47.0 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 6.50% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Perugia
Advantages
Cost of living and consumer prices are significantly lower than Italy's national major metropolitan averages
Exceptional cultural landscape featuring world-renowned events like Umbria Jazz and Eurochocolate
Rich academic and cosmopolitan environment driven by historic universities and international students
High safety index and secure community environment across central neighborhoods
Profound natural beauty and proximity to Lake Trasimeno, olive groves, and the Apennine hills
Drawbacks
Local career job market and corporate salaries trail behind northern Italian industrial powerhouses
Steep hilltop terrain and medieval infrastructure can present accessibility challenges for individuals with limited mobility
Strict ZTL (Limited Traffic Zone) regulations in the historic center complicate direct vehicle access and parking
Bureaucratic friction common to southern European public administration can slow down administrative tasks
Limited direct high-speed rail connections require transfers when traveling to certain international hubs
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.
Perugia
#6Umbria, Italy
70.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$650
Avg Salary
$24,000
Cost Index
54
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
72.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.20%
Unemployment
6.50%
Livability
80
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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