City Comparison
Madison vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Madison scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Madison
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Madison | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,546 | +7% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $327 | -46% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,585 | $2,593 | -0% |
| Cost Index | 104 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Madison offers 21% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Madison delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Madison is estimated at
$58,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Madison | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,269 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $79,100 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Madison runs warmer on average — a 48.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Madison comes out ahead with 257 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Madison sees 27.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Madison | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 13.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 29.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 27.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 257 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Madison.
Madison scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Madison leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Madison | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Madison is the larger city
— approximately 1.8x the population of Syracuse.
From a growth perspective, Madison is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Madison has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Madison | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 269,840 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 31.5 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Madison
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the top U.S. cities for bicycling and walkability per datausa.io
Thriving job market with low unemployment driven by tech, biotech, and education
Exceptional outdoor recreation access with five lakes and over 200 public parks
World-class healthcare infrastructure anchored by UW Health and major regional medical centers
Vibrant cultural, culinary, and arts scene highlighted by the historic Dane County Farmers' Market
Drawbacks
Competitive housing market with rising rent and home purchase costs per Zillow 2024 data
Cold and snowy winter climate averaging over 27 inches of annual snowfall
Isthmus geography creates natural traffic bottlenecks during peak commuting hours
Higher overall cost of living compared to the Wisconsin state average
High rental demand driven by university enrollment puts pressure on off-campus housing
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.
Madison
#186Wisconsin, USA
64.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$71,000
Cost Index
104
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
257/yr
Avg Temp
48.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
83
Business
75
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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