City Comparison
Maricopa vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Maricopa scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Maricopa
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Syracuse is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Maricopa.
Housing costs are a major driver: Maricopa's average rent is
16% higher than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Maricopa | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,799 | $1,546 | +16% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $327 | -45% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,729 | $2,593 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Maricopa offers 11% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Maricopa delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Maricopa is estimated at
$55,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Maricopa | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,421 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $96,391 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Maricopa runs warmer on average — a 74.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Maricopa comes out ahead with 329 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Maricopa sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Maricopa | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 74.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 106.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 43.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 9.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 329 | |
| Humidity | 25.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
9,500 minutes (158 hours) per year compared to Maricopa.
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 | Maricopa | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 37 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Maricopa.
From a growth perspective, Maricopa is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Syracuse has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Maricopa | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,372 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 5.12% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.30% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Maricopa
Advantages
Median home property values (~$377,200) remain substantially more affordable than nearby Phoenix and East Valley housing markets.
Consistently ranks among the top 10 safest cities in Arizona according to recent safety reports and municipal data.
Features a young, highly diverse population with top-rated diverse school districts in the greater region.
Strong homeownership rate exceeding 80%, providing stable, master-planned suburban neighborhoods.
Rapidly expanding local retail, dining, and commercial developments reducing the need to travel for daily necessities.
Drawbacks
Heavy reliance on State Route 347 creates long commute times and traffic bottleneck concerns during peak hours.
Extreme summer high temperatures exceeding 106°F restrict outdoor daytime activities for several months.
Limited public transit infrastructure makes car ownership mandatory for all daily tasks and employment commuting.
Scarcity of major local high-tech or corporate employment hubs requires long-distance commuting or remote work.
High summer electricity utility costs required to maintain home cooling during prolonged heatwaves.
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.
Maricopa
#42Arizona, USA
71.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,799
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
37 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
329/yr
Avg Temp
74.10°F
Pop. Growth
5.12%
Unemployment
5.30%
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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