City Comparison
Palatine vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Palatine scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Palatine
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Syracuse is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
4% lower than in Palatine.
Housing costs are a major driver: Palatine's average rent is
13% higher than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Palatine | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,546 | +13% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $327 | -46% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,690 | $2,593 | +4% |
| Cost Index | 112 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Palatine offers 33% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Palatine delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Palatine is estimated at
$62,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Palatine | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,643 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $89,500 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Palatine runs warmer on average — a 50.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Palatine comes out ahead with 252 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Palatine sees 27.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Palatine | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 16.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 34.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 27.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 252 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,500 minutes (108 hours) per year compared to Palatine.
Palatine 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 | Palatine | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 54.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Palatine.
From a growth perspective, Palatine is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Palatine has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Palatine | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,908 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Palatine
Advantages
Consistently low crime rates making it one of the safer suburbs in the Chicago metropolitan area per police department reports.
Direct Metra commuter rail access providing efficient transit to downtown Chicago per Metra schedules.
Exceptional public school districts serving families with highly rated elementary, middle, and high schools per state education reports.
Extensive park district managing over 50 parks, golf courses, and the expansive Deer Grove forest preserve.
Vibrant downtown district featuring diverse dining, shopping, and community events per local chamber of commerce data.
Drawbacks
Higher-than-average property taxes characteristic of suburban Cook County per county assessor data.
Cost of living and housing expenses exceed the national average per Zillow and US Census Bureau figures.
Car dependency remains relatively high for daily errands outside of the immediate downtown transit core.
Winter weather brings heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures requiring active municipal snow removal.
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along major regional arteries like Route 53 and US-12.
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.
Palatine
#277Illinois, USA
61.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
54.0/100
Sunny Days
252/yr
Avg Temp
50.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
84
Business
75
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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