City Comparison
Owensboro vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Owensboro scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Owensboro
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Owensboro is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
30% lower than in Syracuse.
Housing costs are a major driver: Owensboro's average rent is
39% lower than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Owensboro | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,546 | -39% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $160 | $327 | -51% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $150 | +40% |
| Monthly Total | $1,810 | $2,593 | -30% |
| Cost Index | 87 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Syracuse offers 11% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Owensboro delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Owensboro is estimated at
$45,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Owensboro | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,770 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Owensboro runs warmer on average — a 58.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Owensboro comes out ahead with 251 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Owensboro sees 17.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Owensboro | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 58.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 27.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 51.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 17.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
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 | Owensboro | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Owensboro.
From a growth perspective, Owensboro is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Owensboro has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Owensboro | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,183 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Owensboro
Advantages
Median home purchase prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the national average per Census and Zillow data.
Owensboro Health Regional Hospital provides top-tier regional medical services and is one of the area's largest employers.
The vibrant downtown riverfront features Smothers Park and hosts major cultural events like the ROMP bluegrass festival.
Average commute times are shorter than the national average, resulting in minimal traffic congestion.
Strong community identity anchored by unique regional traditions such as Western Kentucky barbecue and bluegrass music.
Drawbacks
Public transit options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily commuting and errands.
Average local wages lag behind top-tier national metropolitan GDP per capita benchmarks.
Limited high-paying professional opportunities outside of healthcare, education, and manufacturing sectors.
Hot and humid summer conditions can limit outdoor comfort during peak months.
Public school performance and educational funding face the same systemic challenges present across rural and regional Kentucky.
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.
Owensboro
#246Kentucky, USA
62.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
87
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
58.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
75
Business
67
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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