City Comparison
Glasgow vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Glasgow scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Glasgow
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Glasgow is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
16% lower than in Syracuse.
Housing costs are a major driver: Glasgow's average rent is
16% lower than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Glasgow | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,300 | $1,546 | -16% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $327 | -45% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $150 | +33% |
| Monthly Total | $2,170 | $2,593 | -16% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Syracuse offers 23% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Syracuse delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Glasgow is estimated at
$38,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Glasgow | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $38,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,878 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $48,000 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Glasgow runs warmer on average — a 49.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Glasgow comes out ahead with 189 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Glasgow sees 3.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Glasgow | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 65.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 35.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 46.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 189 | |
| Humidity | 78.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Glasgow.
Glasgow scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Glasgow leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Glasgow | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 72.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Glasgow is the larger city
— approximately 4.3x the population of Syracuse.
From a growth perspective, Glasgow is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Glasgow has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Glasgow | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 635,000 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Glasgow
Advantages
Average monthly rent in Glasgow is approximately 35% lower than in Edinburgh per Numbeo data.
Home to over 90 parks and green spaces, earning it the Gaelic translation 'Dear Green Place'.
Thriving cultural and music scene recognized globally as a UNESCO City of Music.
Robust higher education sector producing a highly skilled talent pool from multiple world-class universities.
Comprehensive public transit network including the UK's third-oldest underground metro system.
Drawbacks
Annual rainfall averages 46 inches, leading to a high frequency of wet and overcast days.
Local unemployment rates occasionally trend slightly higher than the broader UK national average.
Certain inner-city neighborhoods face persistent socio-economic deprivation challenges.
Rent competition has intensified significantly due to high student populations and limited housing supply.
Older tenement housing stock can occasionally result in higher heating and maintenance 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.
Glasgow
#7Scotland, UK
64.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,300
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
68.0/100
Walkability
72.0/100
Sunny Days
189/yr
Avg Temp
49.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
75
Business
70
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 Glasgow and Syracuse.
Open Cost Calculator