City Comparison
Palermo vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Palermo scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Palermo
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Palermo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
41% lower than in Syracuse.
Housing costs are a major driver: Palermo's average rent is
55% lower than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Palermo | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $700 | $1,546 | -55% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $200 | $327 | -39% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,540 | $2,593 | -41% |
| Cost Index | 53 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Syracuse offers 68% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Syracuse delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Palermo is estimated at
$16,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Palermo | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $19,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $16,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 35,849 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $22,000 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Palermo runs warmer on average — a 67.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Palermo comes out ahead with 265 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Palermo sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Palermo | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 67.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 51.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 28.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 265 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Palermo.
Palermo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Palermo leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Palermo | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 61.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Palermo is the larger city
— approximately 4.3x the population of Syracuse.
From a growth perspective, Syracuse is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Syracuse has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Palermo | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 628,693 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 44.0 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 12.50% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Palermo
Advantages
Average monthly net salary after tax sits around €1,482, offering comfortable purchasing power against local costs per Numbeo 2026 data.
Enjoy an abundance of sunshine with approximately 265 sunny days per year supporting an active outdoor lifestyle.
Exceptional real estate affordability with central apartment purchase prices averaging around €218 per square foot.
World-renowned culinary scene blending Arab, Norman, and Italian influences with remarkably low dining-out costs.
Rich cultural ecosystem anchored by historic landmarks, UNESCO-listed architectural sites, and Europe's third-largest opera house.
Drawbacks
Regional unemployment rates in Sicily remain higher than the national Italian average per Eurostat and ISTAT figures.
Traffic congestion and parking challenges in the historic center can create daily friction for drivers.
Public infrastructure, waste management, and administrative efficiency lag behind northern Italian standards.
Petty street crime, such as opportunistic bicycle and scooter theft, requires constant vigilance.
Summer heatwaves can push temperatures high, necessitating reliable air conditioning during peak months.
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.
Palermo
#103Sicily, Italy
60.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$700
Avg Salary
$19,000
Cost Index
53
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
265/yr
Avg Temp
67.40°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
12.50%
Livability
76
Business
62
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Palermo and Syracuse.
Open Cost Calculator