City Comparison
Markham vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Markham scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Markham
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Syracuse is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Markham.
Housing costs are a major driver: Markham's average rent is
26% higher than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Markham | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,546 | +26% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $327 | -46% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $2,880 | $2,593 | +11% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Markham offers 16% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Markham delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Markham is estimated at
$60,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Markham | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,627 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $85,000 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Markham runs warmer on average — a 47°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Markham comes out ahead with 239 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Markham sees 52.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Markham | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 47.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 15.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 32.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 52.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 239 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Markham.
Markham 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 | Markham | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 54.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 56.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Markham is the larger city
— approximately 2.3x the population of Syracuse.
From a growth perspective, Markham 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 | Markham | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 338,503 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 6.80% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Markham
Advantages
Recognized as Canada's high-tech capital with over 1,000 technology companies providing robust employment opportunities.
Consistently ranks among the safest large municipalities in Canada with low violent crime rates.
Exceptional ethnic and cultural diversity reflected in world-class dining, festivals, and community programs.
Access to top-tier public education systems and high-performing schools across York Region.
Extensive parks, green spaces, and recreational facilities supporting an active outdoor lifestyle.
Drawbacks
Significantly high cost of living and housing prices compared to the national Canadian average.
High degree of car dependency in suburban neighborhoods leading to notable commuter traffic on major arteries.
Competitive rental market with elevated monthly costs for apartments and townhouses.
Property tax rates and municipal fees reflect the suburban infrastructure maintenance costs.
Cold winter climate featuring significant annual snowfall requires regular winter maintenance.
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.
Markham
#45Ontario, Canada
61.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
54.0/100
Sunny Days
239/yr
Avg Temp
47.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
6.80%
Livability
83
Business
84
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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