City Comparison
Belgrade vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Belgrade scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Belgrade
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Syracuse is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Belgrade.
Housing costs are a major driver: Belgrade's average rent is
29% higher than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Belgrade | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,000 | $1,546 | +29% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $327 | -45% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $3,000 | $2,593 | +16% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Belgrade offers 16% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Belgrade delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Belgrade is estimated at
$60,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Belgrade | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,762 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $97,328 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Belgrade runs warmer on average — a 45.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Belgrade comes out ahead with 266 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Belgrade sees 62.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Belgrade | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 45.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 15.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 22.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 62.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 266 | |
| Humidity | 60.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Belgrade.
Syracuse scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Syracuse leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Belgrade | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Belgrade.
From a growth perspective, Belgrade is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Belgrade has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Belgrade | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,107 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.40% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 2.70% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Belgrade
Advantages
Median household income has risen to $97,328 per year per US Census Bureau data
Strategic location adjacent to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport supports strong local employment
Proximity to world-class outdoor recreation including skiing, hiking, and blue-ribbon trout streams
No state sales tax in Montana, reducing the tax burden on everyday retail consumer purchases
Favorable safety profile with crime rates significantly lower than the national urban average
Drawbacks
Average monthly rent of $2,000 creates affordability challenges for median-income workers
Median property values exceeding $530,000 price many first-time homebuyers out of the market
High car dependency with limited public transportation infrastructure across the Gallatin Valley
Harsh winter conditions with significant snowfall averaging over 62 inches annually
Rapid population growth has put strain on local infrastructure and traffic capacity
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.
Belgrade
#48Montana, USA
70.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,000
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
266/yr
Avg Temp
45.30°F
Pop. Growth
2.40%
Unemployment
2.70%
Livability
76
Business
72
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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