City Comparison
Kahului vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Syracuse scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kahului
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Syracuse is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
25% lower than in Kahului.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kahului's average rent is
42% higher than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Kahului | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,200 | $1,546 | +42% |
| Groceries | $550 | $450 | +22% |
| Utilities | $250 | $327 | -24% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $150 | +100% |
| Monthly Total | $3,450 | $2,593 | +33% |
| Cost Index | 165 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Kahului offers 16% higher 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 Kahului is estimated at
$65,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Kahului | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 41,212 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $82,000 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Kahului runs warmer on average — a 78°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Kahului comes out ahead with 330 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Kahului sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Kahului | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 78.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 69.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 6.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 330 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Kahului.
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 | Kahului | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Kahului.
From a growth perspective, Kahului is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kahului has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kahului | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,264 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kahului
Advantages
Median home price and rental options are supported by structured master-planned communities like Maui Lani.
Proximity to Kahului Airport and Kahului Harbor provides unmatched logistical connectivity for the island of Maui.
Abundant outdoor recreation access, including windsurfing and beach parks directly adjacent to the town.
Serves as the commercial and healthcare center of Maui County with major hospital and retail infrastructure.
Warm year-round climate with consistent sunshine and minimal annual rainfall.
Drawbacks
Significantly high cost of living compared to the US national average, driven by island import expenses.
Heavy reliance on automobiles with localized traffic congestion during peak commuting hours.
Limited housing inventory leading to high competitive pressure for buyers and renters.
Vulnerability to extreme weather events and tropical storms inherent to Pacific island geography.
High electricity and utility costs relative to the mainland United States.
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.
Kahului
#571Hawaii, USA
46.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,200
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
165
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
330/yr
Avg Temp
78.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
73
Business
67
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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