City Comparison
Fishers vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fishers scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fishers
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Fishers | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,546 | +7% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $327 | -46% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,605 | $2,593 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fishers offers 33% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fishers delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fishers is estimated at
$62,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Fishers | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,222 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $115,000 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Fishers runs warmer on average — a 53.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Fishers comes out ahead with 237 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fishers sees 19.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fishers | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 38.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 19.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 237 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Fishers.
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 | Fishers | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Fishers.
From a growth perspective, Fishers is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Fishers has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fishers | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 104,909 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fishers
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest cities in Indiana with exceptionally low crime rates per FBI reporting.
Hamilton Southeastern Schools and other local districts are top-rated statewide for academic performance.
Thriving technology and entrepreneurial ecosystem supported by the Indiana IoT Lab and local business incubators.
Extensive parks and recreation infrastructure, including the Nickel Plate Trail and Geist Reservoir access.
Vibrant downtown Nickel Plate District featuring dining, shopping, and regular community events.
Drawbacks
Housing costs and overall cost of living sit noticeably above the Indiana state average.
High degree of car dependency for daily commuting and errands outside of the central district.
Increasing traffic congestion along major thoroughfares during peak morning and evening commute hours.
Property tax rates in Hamilton County reflect high local service funding but add to homeownership costs.
Limited traditional public mass transit options connecting directly to broader regional employment hubs.
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.
Fishers
#40Indiana, USA
71.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
237/yr
Avg Temp
53.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
88
Business
80
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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