City Comparison
Oklahoma City vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Oklahoma City scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Oklahoma City
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Oklahoma City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Syracuse.
Housing costs are a major driver: Oklahoma City's average rent is
26% lower than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Oklahoma City | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,546 | -26% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $327 | -46% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $2,040 | $2,593 | -21% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Oklahoma City offers 6% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Oklahoma City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Oklahoma City is estimated at
$48,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Oklahoma City | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,455 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $65,300 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Oklahoma City runs warmer on average — a 63°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Oklahoma City comes out ahead with 273 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Oklahoma City sees 5.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Oklahoma City | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 89.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 31.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 34.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 5.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 273 | |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Oklahoma City.
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 | Oklahoma City | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Oklahoma City is the larger city
— approximately 4.7x the population of Syracuse.
From a growth perspective, Oklahoma City is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Oklahoma City | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 694,800 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Oklahoma City
Advantages
Median home prices remain significantly below the national average per Zillow data, offering exceptional housing affordability.
A thriving arts scene anchored by the Paseo Arts District and world-class museums like the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.
An expanding and diversified economy supported by aerospace, energy, healthcare, and logistics sectors.
Abundant recreational opportunities including Lake Hefner, Riversport OKC, and extensive urban park developments.
Consistently shorter commute times compared to the national average, reducing daily transit stress.
Drawbacks
High reliance on automobiles with limited public transit coverage outside core urban districts.
Vulnerability to severe weather events, including tornadoes and extreme seasonal temperature swings.
Property tax rates and localized utility costs can fluctuate based on regional infrastructure demands.
Air quality can occasionally be impacted by regional agricultural and industrial dust during specific seasons.
Pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure remains underdeveloped in several suburban corridors.
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.
Oklahoma City
#118Oklahoma, USA
66.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
273/yr
Avg Temp
63.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
77
Business
74
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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