City Comparison
Salt Lake City vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Syracuse scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Salt Lake City
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Syracuse is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
11% higher compared to Salt Lake City.
| Metric | Salt Lake City | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,606 | $1,546 | +4% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $315 | $327 | -4% |
| Transport | $376 | $120 | +213% |
| Healthcare | $135 | $150 | -10% |
| Monthly Total | $2,882 | $2,593 | +11% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Salt Lake City offers 7% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Salt Lake City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Salt Lake City is estimated at
$65,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Salt Lake City | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,823 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,831 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $75,090 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Salt Lake City runs warmer on average — a 55.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Salt Lake City comes out ahead with 295 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Salt Lake City sees 46.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Salt Lake City | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 91.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 26.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 25.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 46.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 295 | |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Salt Lake City.
For walkability, Syracuse leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Salt Lake City | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 55.0/10 | 57.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Salt Lake City is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Syracuse.
From a growth perspective, Salt Lake City is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Salt Lake City | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 222,706 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.96% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 5.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Salt Lake City
Advantages
Exceptional access to outdoor recreation, including world-class skiing and hiking, is available within a short drive.
The job market is thriving, particularly in tech, healthcare, and professional services, with a 1.3% job growth rate in 2025.
Salt Lake City boasts a vibrant cultural scene, including a lively downtown, diverse dining, and arts.
Utilities costs are approximately 16% lower than the national average, helping to offset other expenses.
The city has a relatively young median age of 32.9 years, contributing to a dynamic and active community.
Drawbacks
The cost of living is higher than the national average, primarily driven by housing expenses which are 20% more expensive.
Salt Lake City experiences periods of poor air quality, especially during winter inversions.
Traffic congestion is a notable issue, and public transportation options are considered limited, leading to medium car dependency.
The median household income, while competitive, is lower than the state average.
The city's rapid growth has led to increased demand for housing and infrastructure, contributing to affordability challenges.
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.
Salt Lake City
#65Utah, USA
61.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,606
Avg Salary
$62,823
Cost Index
105
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
295/yr
Avg Temp
55.50°F
Pop. Growth
1.96%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
76
Business
72
Syracuse
#20New York, USA
69.5 / 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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