City Comparison
Glendale vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Glendale scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Glendale
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Syracuse is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Glendale.
Housing costs are a major driver: Glendale's average rent is
26% higher than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Glendale | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,546 | +26% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $327 | -45% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,880 | $2,593 | +11% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Glendale offers 6% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Glendale delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Glendale is estimated at
$55,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Glendale | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,265 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $73,530 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Glendale runs warmer on average — a 76.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Glendale comes out ahead with 322 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Glendale sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Glendale | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 105.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 49.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 14.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 322 | |
| Humidity | 35.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Glendale.
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 | Glendale | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Glendale is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x the population of Syracuse.
From a growth perspective, Glendale is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Glendale has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Glendale | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 258,121 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Glendale
Advantages
Median household income stands at a healthy $73,530 per recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
World-class entertainment and sports venues like State Farm Stadium anchor a thriving local tourism economy.
Abundant sunshine averaging 322 sunny days per year supports an active outdoor lifestyle.
Proximity to major higher education institutions like Midwestern University and Glendale Community College.
Active municipal investments in the Westgate Entertainment District drive ongoing commercial growth.
Drawbacks
Extreme summer heat with high temperatures regularly exceeding 105°F requires high seasonal energy expenditures.
High car dependency limits walkability and places heavy reliance on regional freeway networks.
Poverty rate of roughly 15.1% highlights economic disparities across certain neighborhoods.
Rising rental and housing costs have pressured affordability for lower-income households.
Ozone and particulate air quality can occasionally decline during peak summer stagnation periods.
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.
Glendale
#333Arizona, USA
60.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
322/yr
Avg Temp
76.40°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
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
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