City Comparison
Leesburg vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Leesburg scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Leesburg
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Syracuse is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
32% lower than in Leesburg.
Housing costs are a major driver: Leesburg's average rent is
81% higher than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Leesburg | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,800 | $1,546 | +81% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $327 | -45% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $3,830 | $2,593 | +48% |
| Cost Index | 128 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Leesburg offers 57% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Leesburg delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Leesburg is estimated at
$75,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Leesburg | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $92,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 71,875 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $145,205 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Leesburg runs warmer on average — a 56.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Leesburg comes out ahead with 238 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Leesburg sees 15 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Leesburg | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 25.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 43.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 15.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 238 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Leesburg.
For walkability, Leesburg leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Leesburg | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Leesburg.
From a growth perspective, Leesburg is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Leesburg has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Leesburg | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 49,171 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.30% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Leesburg
Advantages
Median household income is exceptionally high at $145,205 per U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts.
Crime rates are well below national averages, providing an exceptionally safe community environment.
Over 57% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, fostering a highly educated and skilled local populace.
Vibrant, historic downtown core featuring award-winning dining, craft breweries, and boutique shopping.
Abundant recreational access, including direct connection to the 45-mile W&OD Trail and nearby Loudoun wine country.
Drawbacks
Cost of living and housing expenses are substantially higher than the U.S. national average.
Average rent prices exceed $2,750 per month, placing a heavy burden on renters.
Median home purchase values hover around $667,800, making first-time home buying challenging.
Heavy reliance on automobiles for daily commuting and errands can lead to localized peak-hour congestion on major arteries like Route 7.
High property values drive up overall property tax and housing costs across the municipality.
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.
Leesburg
#244Virginia, USA
62.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,800
Avg Salary
$92,000
Cost Index
128
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
238/yr
Avg Temp
56.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
3.30%
Livability
84
Business
78
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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