City Comparison
Lawrence vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lawrence scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lawrence
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lawrence is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in Syracuse.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lawrence's average rent is
19% lower than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Lawrence | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,546 | -19% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $327 | -46% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,150 | $2,593 | -17% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lawrence offers 4% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Lawrence delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lawrence is estimated at
$52,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Lawrence | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,304 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $63,500 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lawrence runs warmer on average — a 53.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lawrence comes out ahead with 240 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lawrence sees 18.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lawrence | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 18.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 240 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Lawrence.
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 | Lawrence | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Lawrence.
From a growth perspective, Lawrence is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Lawrence has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lawrence | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 48,312 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lawrence
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain comfortably below the national average per US Census and Zillow data.
Direct access to the 1,700-acre Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park providing extensive outdoor recreation.
Convenient location just northeast of downtown Indianapolis offering easy commuting and metropolitan access.
Diverse and welcoming community with active local civic engagement and family-oriented neighborhoods.
Solid local educational options and proximity to top-tier higher education institutions in Marion County.
Drawbacks
Car dependency is high, with limited public transit infrastructure outside of major commuter routes.
Crime rates in certain pockets of the city require careful neighborhood selection for prospective residents.
Property tax rates in Marion County can occasionally offset some of the savings from lower home purchase prices.
Retail and dining options within city limits are somewhat limited compared to central Indianapolis.
Winter weather brings cold temperatures and snowfall averaging around 18 inches annually.
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.
Lawrence
#352Indiana, USA
59.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$61,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
240/yr
Avg Temp
53.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.20%
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Lawrence and Syracuse.
Open Cost Calculator