City Comparison
Champaign vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Champaign scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Champaign
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Champaign is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in Syracuse.
Housing costs are a major driver: Champaign's average rent is
19% lower than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Champaign | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,546 | -19% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $170 | $327 | -48% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,140 | $2,593 | -17% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Champaign offers 9% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Champaign delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Champaign is estimated at
$52,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Champaign | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,817 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $61,200 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Champaign runs warmer on average — a 54.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Champaign comes out ahead with 265 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Champaign sees 18.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Champaign | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 28.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 18.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 265 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Champaign 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 | Champaign | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 36.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Champaign.
From a growth perspective, Champaign is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Champaign has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Champaign | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 88,302 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 27.5 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Champaign
Advantages
Median home prices remain below the national average per 2024 Zillow data, offering accessible homeownership.
World-class healthcare infrastructure anchored by Carle Foundation Hospital and OSF HealthCare.
An award-winning mass transit system (MTD) providing reliable public transportation across the metro area.
A thriving tech and startup ecosystem fueled by University of Illinois research and talent.
Rich cultural diversity and vibrant arts, dining, and entertainment scenes unusual for a mid-sized city.
Drawbacks
Winter weather brings cold temperatures and significant snowfall, averaging nearly 19 inches annually.
Property taxes in Champaign County are relatively high compared to the national average.
Rental markets near the university experience high turnover and seasonal price spikes.
Car dependency is notable outside of the immediate downtown and campus cores.
Local job market can be heavily tied to institutional cycles and state budget fluctuations.
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.
Champaign
#324Illinois, USA
60.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
93
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
265/yr
Avg Temp
54.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.10%
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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