City Comparison
Southampton vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Southampton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Southampton
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Southampton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Syracuse.
| Metric | Southampton | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,600 | $1,546 | +3% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $240 | $327 | -27% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,330 | $2,593 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Syracuse offers 23% 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 Southampton is estimated at
$38,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Southampton | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $38,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 49,451 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $45,000 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Southampton runs warmer on average — a 53.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Southampton comes out ahead with 238 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Southampton sees 2.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Southampton | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 74.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 38.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 32.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 2.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 238 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Southampton.
Southampton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Southampton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Southampton | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Southampton is the larger city
— approximately 1.8x the population of Syracuse.
From a growth perspective, Southampton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Southampton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Southampton | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 260,184 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.65% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Southampton
Advantages
Average monthly private rent in Southampton remains significantly lower than London and nearby Brighton averages.
Direct rail connections link Southampton to London Waterloo in approximately 80 minutes.
Proximity to the New Forest National Park provides immediate access to extensive outdoor recreation and nature trails.
The local economy benefits from strong employment drivers including major cruise lines and advanced marine engineering.
PwC's Good Growth for Cities report ranks the Southampton travel-to-work area favorably for overall economic health and jobs.
Drawbacks
Private rental prices have seen consistent upward pressure, rising over 3% annually according to ONS data.
Local house price-to-earnings ratios can challenge first-time buyers attempting to enter the property market.
Certain central urban wards experience higher rates of property crime and antisocial behavior than outer suburbs.
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours frequently affects major arterial routes leading toward the M27 and port docks.
Economic inactivity and claimant counts remain a persistent challenge in specific localized neighborhoods within the unitary authority.
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.
Southampton
#18England, UK
60.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,600
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
238/yr
Avg Temp
53.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.65%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
75
Business
70
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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