City Comparison
Buckeye vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Buckeye scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Buckeye
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Syracuse is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in Buckeye.
Housing costs are a major driver: Buckeye's average rent is
26% higher than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Buckeye | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,546 | +26% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $210 | $327 | -36% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,990 | $2,593 | +15% |
| Cost Index | 103 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Buckeye offers 16% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Buckeye delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Buckeye is estimated at
$60,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Buckeye | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,019 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $99,486 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Buckeye runs warmer on average — a 75.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Buckeye comes out ahead with 328 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Buckeye sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Buckeye | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 75.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 106.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 47.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 10.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 328 | |
| Humidity | 28.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,500 minutes (108 hours) per year compared to Buckeye.
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 | Buckeye | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 32.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Buckeye.
From a growth perspective, Buckeye is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Buckeye has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Buckeye | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,445 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 4.80% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Buckeye
Advantages
Rapid population and economic growth momentum, ranked among the fastest-growing cities in the U.S.
More affordable housing options and larger home sizes compared to core Phoenix and Scottsdale markets
Abundant outdoor recreation access, highlighted by the White Tank Mountain Regional Park
Master-planned communities like Verrado offering high walkability, community events, and modern amenities
Low crime rates and a family-oriented suburban safety profile
Drawbacks
High car dependency and long commuter drive times for residents working in central Phoenix
Extreme summer temperatures exceeding 106°F that elevate seasonal utility and cooling costs
Limited public transportation infrastructure within the city's massive geographic footprint
Ongoing construction disruption and infrastructure strain due to rapid suburban expansion
Higher HOA fees and property valuations associated with newer master-planned developments
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.
Buckeye
#64Arizona, USA
69.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
32.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
328/yr
Avg Temp
75.70°F
Pop. Growth
4.80%
Unemployment
4.90%
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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