Performance
Score Breakdown
Moscow
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Moscow is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
48% lower compared to Syracuse.
Housing costs are a major driver: Moscow's average rent is
13% lower than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Moscow | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,338 | $1,546 | -13% |
| Groceries | $0 | $450 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $327 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,338 | $2,593 | -48% |
| Cost Index | 111 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Moscow offers 30% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Moscow delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Moscow is estimated at
$84,360 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Moscow | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $76,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $84,360 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,468 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $57,022 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Moscow | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Moscow has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Syracuse.
For walkability, Syracuse leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Moscow | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 14 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 48.0/10 | 57.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Moscow.
From a growth perspective, Moscow is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Moscow has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Moscow | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,286 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 25.7 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 5.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Moscow
Advantages
High walkability score of 48, making many errands accessible on foot.
Short average commute time of 14.3 minutes, significantly below the national average.
Strong presence of the University of Idaho contributes to a vibrant cultural scene and job market.
Crime rates have seen a significant decrease, with violent crime rates well below the national average.
Rental prices are relatively affordable compared to national averages, despite a higher cost of living than the Idaho average.
Drawbacks
Median household income ($57,022) is below the national average.
Cost of living is 11% higher than the national average.
Limited public transit options contribute to a medium car dependency.
Job growth rate of 0.167% is modest.
Median age of 25.7 is significantly younger than the national average, which may not appeal to all demographics.
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.
Moscow
#14Idaho, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,338
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
111
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
48.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
87
Business
65
Syracuse
#58New York, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,546
Avg Salary
$58,525
Cost Index
103
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
57.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
5.10%
Livability
70
Business
70
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