City Comparison
Rouen vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Syracuse scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Rouen
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rouen is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
44% lower than in Syracuse.
Housing costs are a major driver: Rouen's average rent is
59% lower than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Rouen | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $630 | $1,546 | -59% |
| Groceries | $497 | $450 | +10% |
| Utilities | $200 | $327 | -39% |
| Transport | $48 | $120 | -60% |
| Healthcare | $75 | $150 | -50% |
| Monthly Total | $1,450 | $2,593 | -44% |
| Cost Index | 83 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Syracuse offers 51% 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 Rouen is estimated at
$21,372 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Rouen | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $28,400 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $21,372 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 34,217 idx | 56,820 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Rouen runs warmer on average — a 53.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Rouen comes out ahead with 240 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Rouen sees 4.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Rouen | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 75.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 36.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 34.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 4.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 240 | |
| Humidity | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Rouen.
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 | Rouen | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | — | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | — | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 37.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Rouen.
From a growth perspective, Rouen 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 | Rouen | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,553 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.09% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 31.8 | |
| Unemployment | 7.54% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Rouen
Advantages
Rouen boasts a rich historical and architectural heritage, including the famous Cathédrale Notre-Dame.
The city offers a comprehensive public transport network, with free services on Saturdays.
The cost of living in Rouen is generally lower than the national average in France.
Rouen has a vibrant cultural scene with numerous dining options and entertainment.
Property prices for both apartments and houses have shown consistent growth over the past five years.
Drawbacks
The median salary in Rouen is lower than the national average for France.
Specific safety scores for 2026 are not available, with crime indices showing a mixed situation.
Traffic congestion can be a concern, with an average level of 37.1% in 2025.
While public transport is good, specific walkability and transit scores for 2026 are not readily available.
Reliable, up-to-date data for some specific metrics like median age and detailed job growth rates for Rouen are limited.
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.
Rouen
#13Normandie, France
58.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$630
Avg Salary
$28,400
Cost Index
83
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
240/yr
Avg Temp
53.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.09%
Unemployment
7.54%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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