City Comparison
Hammond vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Syracuse scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hammond
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hammond is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in Syracuse.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hammond's average rent is
19% lower than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Hammond | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,546 | -19% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $327 | -46% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,145 | $2,593 | -17% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Syracuse offers 1% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Hammond delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hammond is estimated at
$48,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Hammond | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,909 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $54,500 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Hammond runs warmer on average — a 51.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Hammond comes out ahead with 260 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Hammond sees 28.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hammond | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 33.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 28.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 260 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Hammond.
Hammond scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Hammond leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hammond | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Hammond.
From a growth perspective, Syracuse is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Hammond has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Hammond | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 77,879 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hammond
Advantages
Significantly lower housing and cost of living compared to nearby Chicago
Excellent commuter rail access via the South Shore Line
Abundant recreational opportunities at Wolf Lake and Hammond Marina
Presence of Purdue University Northwest fostering educational and cultural vitality
Strategic location with robust highway and freight logistics infrastructure
Drawbacks
Property tax rates can fluctuate based on local municipal and school district bonds
Certain commercial corridors experience higher property vacancy rates requiring ongoing revitalization
Winters can be harsh with significant snowfall driven by lake-effect weather patterns
Industrial legacy requires continuous environmental monitoring and remediation efforts
Average household incomes trail the broader national metropolitan average
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.
Hammond
#401Indiana, USA
58.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
260/yr
Avg Temp
51.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
70
Business
65
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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