City Comparison
Lewistown vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lewistown scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lewistown
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lewistown is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
37% lower than in Syracuse.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lewistown's average rent is
51% lower than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Lewistown | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $750 | $1,546 | -51% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $327 | -46% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $1,635 | $2,593 | -37% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Syracuse offers 17% 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 Lewistown is estimated at
$42,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Lewistown | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,500 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,297 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $48,750 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lewistown runs warmer on average — a 45°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lewistown comes out ahead with 261 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lewistown sees 66.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lewistown | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 45.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 75.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 13.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 23.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 66.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 261 | |
| Humidity | 60.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Lewistown has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Syracuse.
Syracuse scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lewistown leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lewistown | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 13 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 25.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Lewistown is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Lewistown has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lewistown | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,231 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.84% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 44.7 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 5.10% |
| GDP | $0.6B | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lewistown
Advantages
Median home values remain significantly lower than the national average and western Montana hubs, offering strong housing affordability.
Exceptional public safety with violent and property crime rates well below national medians.
Extremely short average commute times of roughly 13 minutes eliminate daily traffic stress.
Immediate proximity to pristine central Montana wilderness, mountains, and world-class outdoor recreation.
Access to renowned natural resources, including Big Springs and some of the purest drinking water in the world.
Drawbacks
Lower median household incomes compared to state and national averages.
Geographic isolation requires traveling significant distances to access major metropolitan airports or specialized retail.
Limited local public transit infrastructure creates absolute car dependency for residents.
Rigid winter climate with heavy seasonal snowfall demands preparedness and cold-weather adaptation.
Tight rental housing inventory can make finding immediate leasing options challenging for newcomers.
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.
Lewistown
#158Montana, USA
64.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$750
Avg Salary
$48,500
Cost Index
91
Commute
13 min
Transit Score
25.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
261/yr
Avg Temp
45.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.84%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
75
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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