Performance
Score Breakdown
San Antonio
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Syracuse is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
6% higher compared to San Antonio.
Housing costs are a major driver: San Antonio's average rent is
17% higher than Syracuse's.
| Metric | San Antonio | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,805 | $1,546 | +17% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $327 | -45% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $2,755 | $2,593 | +6% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
San Antonio offers 30% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, San Antonio delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in San Antonio is estimated at
$85,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | San Antonio | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $76,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $85,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 83,516 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $66,176 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | San Antonio | 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
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to San Antonio.
San Antonio 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 | San Antonio | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 72.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 37.0/10 | 57.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
San Antonio is the larger city
— approximately 10.6x the population of Syracuse.
From a growth perspective, San Antonio is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, San Antonio has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | San Antonio | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,572,360 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.55% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 5.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
San Antonio
Advantages
San Antonio's cost of living is approximately 9% lower than the national average, making it an affordable major U.S. city.
The city has demonstrated strong job growth, projected to lead Texas in 2025 and ranking as the third-fastest-growing major job market in 2024.
San Antonio's population continues to grow, with an estimated 1.55% annual increase, driven by both domestic and international migration.
Public transportation, particularly VIA Metropolitan Transit, received the highest customer satisfaction rating in the U.S. for transit agencies in 2024.
Overall crime in San Antonio fell by more than 13% in 2025, with significant drops in both violent and property crimes.
Drawbacks
The median household income in San Antonio, at $66,176 in 2024, remains below the national average.
Healthcare costs in San Antonio are slightly higher than the national average.
Despite a highly-rated public transit system, San Antonio is largely car-dependent with a low overall walkability score for much of the city.
The San Antonio housing market experienced a slight decline in median home prices by 2.6% year-over-year as of May 2026.
Traffic congestion is a concern, with San Antonio ranking as the 25th most congested city in the U.S. in 2025.
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.
San Antonio
#49Texas, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,805
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
72.0/10
Walkability
37.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.55%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
74
Business
68
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
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