City Comparison
Evanston vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Syracuse scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Evanston
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Syracuse is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
28% lower than in Evanston.
Housing costs are a major driver: Evanston's average rent is
68% higher than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Evanston | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,591 | $1,546 | +68% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $327 | -45% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $3,591 | $2,593 | +38% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Evanston offers 33% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Evanston delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Evanston is estimated at
$65,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Evanston | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,934 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $96,434 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Evanston runs warmer on average — a 50.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Evanston comes out ahead with 254 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Evanston sees 28 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Evanston | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 31.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 28.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 254 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Evanston.
Evanston scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Evanston leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Evanston | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 78.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 82.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Low | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Evanston.
From a growth perspective, Evanston is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Evanston has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Evanston | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,340 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Evanston
Advantages
Median household income stands at a robust $96,434, significantly higher than the Illinois state average.
Over 72% of Evanston residents hold at least a bachelor's degree, fostering an intellectually vibrant community.
Direct multi-modal transit access via the CTA Purple Line and Metra provides fast commutes into downtown Chicago.
Features five public sandy beaches and 268 acres of parkland along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Recognized as a leading Midwestern startup hub and 'hidden gem' for entrepreneurial ventures.
Drawbacks
The cost of living and median property values are substantially higher than the national average.
Property taxes in Cook County are notoriously high, placing a heavy tax burden on homeowners.
Rental housing is competitive and expensive, heavily driven by the presence of Northwestern University students.
Winter weather brings heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures common to the greater Chicago region.
Street parking can be scarce and strictly regulated, especially in commercial zones and near campus areas.
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.
Evanston
#456Illinois, USA
55.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,591
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
122
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
78.0/100
Walkability
82.0/100
Sunny Days
254/yr
Avg Temp
50.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
84
Business
76
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Evanston and Syracuse.
Open Cost Calculator