City Comparison
Fort Wayne vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fort Wayne scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fort Wayne
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fort Wayne is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Syracuse.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fort Wayne's average rent is
26% lower than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Fort Wayne | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,546 | -26% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $327 | -46% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $150 | +40% |
| Monthly Total | $2,025 | $2,593 | -22% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Syracuse offers 1% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fort Wayne delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fort Wayne is estimated at
$48,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Fort Wayne | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,444 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $64,500 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Fort Wayne runs warmer on average — a 51.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Fort Wayne comes out ahead with 249 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fort Wayne sees 24.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fort Wayne | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 31.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 24.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Fort Wayne.
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 | Fort Wayne | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 32.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 38.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fort Wayne is the larger city
— approximately 2.1x the population of Syracuse.
From a growth perspective, Fort Wayne is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fort Wayne | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 312,688 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fort Wayne
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain well below the national average per US Census and Zillow data.
A nationally recognized riverfront development and extensive park system offer exceptional outdoor recreation.
A robust regional healthcare sector provides world-class medical facilities and abundant employment opportunities.
Short average commute times reduce daily transit friction compared to larger metropolitan areas.
A thriving local arts, culture, and minor league sports scene provides diverse entertainment options.
Drawbacks
High car dependency makes efficient navigation difficult for non-drivers outside the core downtown area.
Certain urban neighborhoods face persistent property and violent crime challenges.
Public transit options are limited in frequency and geographic coverage compared to peer transit-heavy cities.
Winters can be cold and grey, with significant snowfall limiting outdoor activities for parts of the year.
Averaged local wages trail national coastal medians, though balanced by lower living costs.
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.
Fort Wayne
#194Indiana, USA
63.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
90
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
32.0/100
Walkability
38.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
51.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.80%
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Fort Wayne and Syracuse.
Open Cost Calculator