City Comparison
Marietta vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Marietta scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Marietta
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Marietta | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,546 | +7% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $327 | -46% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $150 | +60% |
| Monthly Total | $2,600 | $2,593 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 104 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Marietta offers 23% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Marietta delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Marietta is estimated at
$60,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Marietta | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,231 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $74,500 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Marietta runs warmer on average — a 62.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Marietta comes out ahead with 232 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Marietta sees 3.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Marietta | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 62.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 35.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 232 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Marietta.
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 | Marietta | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Marietta.
From a growth perspective, Marietta is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Marietta has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Marietta | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,987 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Marietta
Advantages
Historic downtown Marietta Square offers vibrant dining, shopping, and community events year-round.
Proximity to Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park provides exceptional hiking and outdoor recreation.
Strong local economy anchored by major employers like Lockheed Martin and Wellstar Health System.
Cobb County School District is highly rated, making the area exceptionally popular for families.
Strategic location just northwest of Atlanta provides easy access to big-city amenities while retaining suburban charm.
Drawbacks
Traffic congestion along major corridors like I-75 and Loop 128 can be heavy during peak commuting hours.
Cost of living and housing prices are notably higher than the national average and rural Georgia.
Public transportation options are limited, making car ownership practically essential for daily life.
Summers can be persistently hot and humid, limiting comfortable outdoor activity during peak afternoons.
Rapid regional growth has driven up housing and rental costs, increasing pressure on first-time buyers.
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.
Marietta
#339Georgia, USA
60.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
104
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
232/yr
Avg Temp
62.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
77
Business
72
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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