City Comparison
Cranston vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Cranston scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Cranston
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Syracuse is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Cranston.
Housing costs are a major driver: Cranston's average rent is
13% higher than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Cranston | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,546 | +13% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $195 | $327 | -40% |
| Transport | $125 | $120 | +4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $150 | +60% |
| Monthly Total | $2,730 | $2,593 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cranston offers 17% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cranston delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Cranston is estimated at
$58,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Cranston | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,500 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,426 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $84,500 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Cranston runs warmer on average — a 51.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Cranston comes out ahead with 253 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Cranston sees 19.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Cranston | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 22.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 46.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 19.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Cranston.
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 | Cranston | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Cranston.
From a growth perspective, Syracuse is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Cranston has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Cranston | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,928 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Cranston
Advantages
Median home prices in Cranston remain more affordable than neighboring Boston while offering close proximity to Providence per Zillow data.
Violent crime rates in Cranston consistently trend below national medians according to FBI Uniform Crime Reporting statistics.
The city features vibrant, walkable historic commercial districts like Pawtuxet Village with unique local dining and shops.
Cranston provides excellent geographic connectivity with direct access to I-95 and I-295 for easy regional commuting.
Extensive park systems and recreational spaces like Meshanticut Park offer strong outdoor lifestyle amenities.
Drawbacks
New England regional energy costs push utility expenses above the national average per BLS consumer expenditure reports.
Public transit options are limited outside of core bus routes, maintaining high car dependency for daily commutes.
Housing inventory shortages have driven up rental and purchase prices significantly over recent years.
Winter weather brings heavy snowfall averaging nearly 20 inches annually, requiring significant snow removal upkeep.
Traffic congestion along major commercial corridors like Route 2 can experience heavy bottlenecks during peak hours.
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.
Cranston
#278Rhode Island, USA
61.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$68,500
Cost Index
108
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
51.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
78
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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