City Comparison
Dunwoody vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Dunwoody scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Dunwoody
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 Dunwoody.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dunwoody's average rent is
13% higher than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Dunwoody | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,546 | +13% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $327 | -46% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,705 | $2,593 | +4% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dunwoody offers 33% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Dunwoody delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Dunwoody is estimated at
$62,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Dunwoody | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,102 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $98,500 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Dunwoody runs warmer on average — a 62.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Dunwoody comes out ahead with 226 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Dunwoody sees 3.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Dunwoody | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 62.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 35.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 43.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 226 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Dunwoody.
Dunwoody 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 | Dunwoody | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 54.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Dunwoody.
From a growth perspective, Dunwoody is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Dunwoody has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Dunwoody | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 51,500 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Dunwoody
Advantages
Consistently low crime rates with a dedicated local police department ensuring high community safety.
Prime location just north of Atlanta with direct access to I-285, GA-400, and multiple MARTA rail stations.
Abundant green spaces and outdoor amenities, including the 100-acre Brook Run Park and Dunwoody Nature Center.
Thriving economic hub at Perimeter Center offering robust local employment and corporate headquarters.
Exceptional local community engagement, highly rated events, and vibrant neighborhood culture.
Drawbacks
Significantly higher cost of living and housing prices compared to the national and state averages.
Heavy traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along major corridors like I-285 and Ashford Dunwoody Road.
High car dependency in residential neighborhoods outside of the immediate Perimeter commercial core.
Competitive real estate market with rising home purchase costs that can price out first-time buyers.
Property tax rates reflective of DeKalb County services and local municipal funding needs.
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.
Dunwoody
#185Georgia, USA
64.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
54.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
226/yr
Avg Temp
62.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
83
Business
78
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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