City Comparison
Appleton vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Appleton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Appleton
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Appleton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Syracuse.
Housing costs are a major driver: Appleton's average rent is
26% lower than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Appleton | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,546 | -26% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $327 | -46% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $2,035 | $2,593 | -22% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Appleton offers 6% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Appleton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Appleton is estimated at
$48,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Appleton | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,132 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $71,500 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Appleton runs warmer on average — a 46.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Appleton comes out ahead with 263 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Appleton sees 37.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Appleton | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 12.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 30.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 37.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 263 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Syracuse scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Appleton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Appleton | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Appleton.
From a growth perspective, Appleton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Appleton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Appleton | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,644 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Appleton
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the national average per US Census data.
Consistently low crime rates rank Appleton among the safest mid-sized cities in the Midwest.
A thriving downtown district featuring the Fox Cities PAC, local dining, and boutique shopping.
Robust local economy anchored by major healthcare and manufacturing employers ensuring stable employment.
Abundant outdoor recreational access via Riverside Park and the extensive Fox River trail system.
Drawbacks
Winters are long, cold, and bring significant snowfall averaging nearly 38 inches annually.
Public transit options outside of core downtown areas are limited, making car ownership nearly essential.
Limited racial diversity compared to larger national metropolitan areas.
Humid summer months can occasionally bring high discomfort levels.
Fluctuation in seasonal weather can impact outdoor event planning and infrastructure maintenance costs.
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.
Appleton
#51Wisconsin, USA
70.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
263/yr
Avg Temp
46.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
80
Business
74
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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