City Comparison
Charlottesville vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Charlottesville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Charlottesville
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Syracuse is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
4% lower than in Charlottesville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Charlottesville's average rent is
13% higher than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Charlottesville | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,546 | +13% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $327 | -46% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $150 | +60% |
| Monthly Total | $2,695 | $2,593 | +4% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Charlottesville offers 16% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Charlottesville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Charlottesville is estimated at
$58,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Charlottesville | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,762 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $78,500 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Charlottesville runs warmer on average — a 57.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Charlottesville comes out ahead with 264 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Charlottesville sees 18.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Charlottesville | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 26.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 33.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 18.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 264 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Charlottesville.
Charlottesville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Charlottesville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Charlottesville | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Charlottesville.
From a growth perspective, Charlottesville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Charlottesville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Charlottesville | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,214 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Charlottesville
Advantages
UVA Health and the University of Virginia provide world-class employment, education, and healthcare access
Exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities with immediate proximity to the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah National Park
Vibrant culinary and arts scene anchored by the pedestrian-friendly historic Downtown Mall
Strong local economy with robust job stability and a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem
Highly educated and culturally engaged community with a rich historical heritage
Drawbacks
Housing and rental costs are significantly higher than the national average and surrounding rural counties
Peak-hour traffic congestion along major corridors like Route 29 can be frustrating for commuters
Competitive rental market driven by the annual influx of University of Virginia students
Limited public transit options for commuting from outlying suburban or rural areas
Property taxes and local cost of living indices trend higher than the broader state average
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.
Charlottesville
#256Virginia, USA
62.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
264/yr
Avg Temp
57.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
77
Business
70
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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