Performance
Score Breakdown
Shenyang
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Shenyang is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
67% lower compared to Syracuse.
Housing costs are a major driver: Shenyang's average rent is
82% lower than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Shenyang | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $271 | $1,546 | -82% |
| Groceries | $350 | $450 | -22% |
| Utilities | $89 | $327 | -73% |
| Transport | $50 | $120 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $150 | -33% |
| Monthly Total | $860 | $2,593 | -67% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Syracuse offers 70% 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 Shenyang is estimated at
$15,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Shenyang | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $17,510 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $15,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 38,911 idx | 56,820 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Shenyang | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Shenyang.
Shenyang scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Shenyang leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Shenyang | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 80.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 65.0/10 | 57.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Shenyang is the larger city
— approximately 62.8x the population of Syracuse.
From a growth perspective, Syracuse is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Shenyang has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Shenyang | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,276,000 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 31.8 | |
| Unemployment | 4.62% | 5.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Shenyang
Advantages
Shenyang boasts a very affordable cost of living, ranking among the least expensive cities globally.
The city has an extensive and efficient public transportation network, including a metro and tram system, with 100% urban coverage by bus stops.
Shenyang has been consistently recognized as one of China's happiest cities for three consecutive years, including 2024.
The city has a robust industrial foundation with trillion-yuan clusters in advanced manufacturing, robotics, and automotive sectors.
Shenyang is actively enhancing its public service system for foreigners, including international hospitals and schools.
Drawbacks
Winters in Shenyang are known to be long and very cold.
While overall crime rates are low, Numbeo indicates a moderate problem with corruption and bribery.
The city's property market, like the national trend, has faced challenges with declines in investment and transaction volume in recent years.
Specific recent data for certain demographic metrics like median age and unemployment rate for Shenyang are not readily available.
Despite overall safety, isolated incidents of violent crime have been reported, such as a knife-related assault in July 2024.
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.
Shenyang
#1Liaoning, China
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$271
Avg Salary
$17,510
Cost Index
45
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
80.0/10
Walkability
65.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.62%
Livability
74
Business
68
Syracuse
#56New 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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