City Comparison
João Pessoa vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
João Pessoa scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
João Pessoa
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
João Pessoa is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
68% lower than in Syracuse.
Housing costs are a major driver: João Pessoa's average rent is
75% lower than Syracuse's.
| Metric | João Pessoa | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $380 | $1,546 | -75% |
| Groceries | $240 | $450 | -47% |
| Utilities | $95 | $327 | -71% |
| Transport | $50 | $120 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $75 | $150 | -50% |
| Monthly Total | $840 | $2,593 | -68% |
| Cost Index | 35 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Syracuse offers 85% 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 João Pessoa is estimated at
$7,200 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | João Pessoa | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $8,500 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $7,200 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 24,286 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $9,200 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
João Pessoa runs warmer on average — a 79.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, João Pessoa comes out ahead with 125 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — João Pessoa sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | João Pessoa | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 79.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 76.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 51.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 125 | |
| Humidity | 78.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to João Pessoa.
João Pessoa scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, João Pessoa leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | João Pessoa | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 50.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
João Pessoa is the larger city
— approximately 5.6x the population of Syracuse.
From a growth perspective, João Pessoa 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 | João Pessoa | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 833,932 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 9.20% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
João Pessoa
Advantages
Pristine coastal environment featuring the easternmost point of the Americas and miles of swimmable urban beaches.
Significantly lower cost of living and housing prices compared to Brazil's major southern metropolitan centers.
Stronger public safety rankings relative to many other state capitals in the Northeast region of Brazil.
Growing digital infrastructure and strong appeal for remote workers seeking warm weather and economic value.
Abundant urban green spaces, including the massive Parque Arruda Câmara botanical park.
Drawbacks
Local average salaries and median incomes are markedly lower than national economic powerhouses.
Limited heavy industry and manufacturing restrict local corporate career advancement opportunities.
Public transportation infrastructure suffers from congestion and limited rail options during peak commute hours.
Higher vulnerability to tropical weather patterns and localized coastal erosion issues.
Language barrier for non-Portuguese speakers, as English proficiency is limited outside primary tourist zones.
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.
João Pessoa
#169Paraíba, Brazil
65.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$380
Avg Salary
$8,500
Cost Index
35
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
50.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
125/yr
Avg Temp
79.40°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
9.20%
Livability
75
Business
62
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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