City Comparison
Napier vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Napier scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Napier
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Napier is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Syracuse.
| Metric | Napier | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,546 | +7% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $170 | $327 | -48% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,580 | $2,593 | -1% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Syracuse offers 1% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Napier delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Napier is estimated at
$50,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Napier | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,043 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $61,000 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Napier runs warmer on average — a 59.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Napier comes out ahead with 248 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Napier sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Napier | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 59.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 57.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 57.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 38.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Napier leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Napier | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Napier.
From a growth perspective, Napier is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Napier has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Napier | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 66,600 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Napier
Advantages
Enjoy one of the highest annual sunshine totals in New Zealand, averaging over 2,400 hours of sun per year.
World-renowned Art Deco architecture provides a unique, highly walkable, and visually striking city center.
Proximity to world-class Hawke's Bay wineries and vineyards offering exceptional local food and wine experiences.
Lower median property purchase costs compared to major metropolitan centers like Auckland and Wellington.
Strong community safety profile and relaxed coastal lifestyle ideal for families and retirees.
Drawbacks
Regional job market is heavily seasonal, particularly around agricultural and horticultural harvest periods.
Public transportation options outside of peak hours are limited, maintaining high car dependency.
Susceptibility to weather events and seismic activity, given the region's geographical history.
Rental vacancy rates can experience tight compression during peak tourism and harvest influxes.
Distance from major international air hubs requires domestic connections for global travel.
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.
Napier
#38Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
62.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
248/yr
Avg Temp
59.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
82
Business
68
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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