City Comparison
Atlanta vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Atlanta scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Atlanta
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Syracuse is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Atlanta.
Housing costs are a major driver: Atlanta's average rent is
22% higher than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Atlanta | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,882 | $1,546 | +22% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $327 | -45% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $2,882 | $2,593 | +11% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Atlanta offers 11% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Atlanta delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Atlanta is estimated at
$55,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Atlanta | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,708 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $85,652 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Atlanta runs warmer on average — a 63.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Atlanta comes out ahead with 233 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Atlanta sees 3.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Atlanta | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 35.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 46.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 233 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Atlanta.
Atlanta scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Atlanta leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Atlanta | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Atlanta is the larger city
— approximately 3.4x the population of Syracuse.
From a growth perspective, Atlanta is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Atlanta | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 505,268 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.59% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Atlanta
Advantages
Atlanta offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to other major U.S. cities, with housing costs being a significant factor in its favor.
The city has a strong and diverse job market with projected job growth significantly higher than the national average, driven by key industries like aviation, FinTech, and healthcare.
Atlanta is a major transportation hub, boasting the world's busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which facilitates global travel and trade.
The city provides a high quality of life with a "City in the Forest" ambiance, a vibrant cultural scene, diverse culinary options, and ample outdoor recreational opportunities.
Atlanta's crime rates have shown a downward trend in recent years, with significant reductions in major crime categories in 2024, reaching historic lows for violent crime.
Drawbacks
Atlanta is known for its notorious traffic congestion, which can significantly impact commute times and daily travel.
The city's public transportation system, while present, is often cited as a con due to its limitations in serving the extensive urban sprawl of the metropolitan area.
While generally affordable, housing costs in Atlanta can still be a significant expense, and the market has seen substantial increases in required income to afford a home.
Summer humidity and heat can be intense, contributing to less comfortable outdoor conditions during certain months.
Competition in certain sectors, such as tech and media, can be intense, requiring job seekers to be well-researched and prepared.
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.
Atlanta
#148Georgia, USA
65.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,882
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
233/yr
Avg Temp
63.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.59%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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