City Comparison
Flensburg vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Flensburg scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Flensburg
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Flensburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
31% lower than in Syracuse.
Housing costs are a major driver: Flensburg's average rent is
39% lower than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Flensburg | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,546 | -39% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $220 | $327 | -33% |
| Transport | $55 | $120 | -54% |
| Healthcare | $180 | $150 | +20% |
| Monthly Total | $1,785 | $2,593 | -31% |
| Cost Index | 78 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Syracuse offers 18% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Flensburg delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Flensburg is estimated at
$42,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Flensburg | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,538 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $46,000 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Flensburg runs warmer on average — a 49.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Flensburg comes out ahead with 239 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Flensburg sees 6.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Flensburg | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 69.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 33.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 31.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 6.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 239 | |
| Humidity | 80.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Flensburg.
Flensburg scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Flensburg leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Flensburg | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 78.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Low | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Flensburg.
From a growth perspective, Flensburg is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Syracuse has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Flensburg | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,550 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.60% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 6.80% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Flensburg
Advantages
Significantly lower average housing and rental costs compared to major German cities like Hamburg and Munich.
Unique cross-cultural Danish-German heritage providing a vibrant bilingual and international community atmosphere.
Excellent proximity to the Baltic Sea with extensive maritime recreation, sailing, and coastal nature reserves.
High walkability and extensive cycling infrastructure connecting residential neighborhoods directly to the city center.
Strong educational presence anchored by two universities fostering a young, dynamic, and progressive population.
Drawbacks
Regional wage levels and average salaries trail behind southern and western German economic powerhouses.
Milder job market diversification outside of education, retail, public administration, and specialized maritime sectors.
Cooler, overcast maritime climate with limited peak sunshine hours during the extended winter months.
Tight rental inventory for affordable, modern apartments near the historic city center and waterfront.
Geographic location in the far north of Germany results in longer travel times to major international airports.
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.
Flensburg
#39Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
63.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
78
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
78.0/100
Sunny Days
239/yr
Avg Temp
49.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.60%
Unemployment
6.80%
Livability
83
Business
69
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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