City Comparison
Buffalo vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Syracuse scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Buffalo
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Buffalo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
21% lower compared to Syracuse.
Housing costs are a major driver: Buffalo's average rent is
32% lower than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Buffalo | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,046 | $1,546 | -32% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $327 | -45% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $2,046 | $2,593 | -21% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Buffalo offers 28% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Buffalo delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Buffalo is estimated at
$40,764 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Buffalo | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $75,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $40,764 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 78,947 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $50,041 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Buffalo runs warmer on average — a 49.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Buffalo comes out ahead with 224 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Buffalo sees 43.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Buffalo | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 43.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 224 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Buffalo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Buffalo leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Buffalo | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 57.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Buffalo is the larger city
— approximately 1.9x the population of Syracuse.
From a growth perspective, Syracuse 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 | Buffalo | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 274,006 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.70% | 5.10% |
| GDP | $109.5B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Buffalo
Advantages
The cost of living in Buffalo is lower than the national average, particularly for housing and utilities. [19]
Buffalo has a shorter average commute time (19.9 minutes) compared to the national average. [3]
The city is experiencing significant investment and redevelopment in various neighborhoods, including downtown. [11, 24]
Buffalo has a diverse and growing economy with strong sectors in healthcare and education. [3, 24]
The city offers a rich cultural scene with numerous museums, performing arts venues, and annual festivals. [11]
Drawbacks
Buffalo's unemployment rate in July 2026 was 5.70%, higher than the national average. [31]
The poverty rate in Buffalo is 26%, which is higher than the national average. [3]
Despite downtown growth, a lack of amenities like grocery stores and infrequent weekend public transit can be a drawback. [18]
Job losses were observed in some sectors like manufacturing and financial activities in Western New York in August 2026. [22]
Buffalo Public Schools score below the New York state average in mathematics and English Language Arts proficiency. [23]
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.
Buffalo
#38New York, USA
64.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,046
Avg Salary
$75,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
224/yr
Avg Temp
49.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.70%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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