City Comparison
Philadelphia vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Syracuse scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Philadelphia
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 Philadelphia.
Housing costs are a major driver: Philadelphia's average rent is
14% higher than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Philadelphia | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,768 | $1,546 | +14% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $185 | $327 | -43% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,713 | $2,593 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Philadelphia offers 23% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Philadelphia delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Philadelphia is estimated at
$58,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Philadelphia | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,588 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $61,953 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Philadelphia runs warmer on average — a 55.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Philadelphia comes out ahead with 253 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Philadelphia sees 12 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Philadelphia | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 26.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 39.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 12.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Philadelphia.
Philadelphia scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Philadelphia leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Philadelphia | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 76.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Philadelphia is the larger city
— approximately 10.6x the population of Syracuse.
From a growth perspective, Syracuse is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Philadelphia has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Philadelphia | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,574,281 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.10% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Philadelphia
Advantages
Average rent remains roughly 15-20% lower than comparable major East Coast markets like New York and Boston.
Home to world-class higher education and healthcare anchor institutions driving stable high-skilled employment.
High walkability and extensive public transit infrastructure via SEPTA make car-free urban living practical.
Vibrant arts, historical architecture, and globally renowned culinary and craft beverage scenes.
Emerging status as a top-tier life sciences and biotechnology venture capital destination ('Cellicon Valley').
Drawbacks
Local wage and business tax structures can present a heavier financial burden compared to surrounding suburbs.
Property crime and localized public safety challenges persist across specific urban neighborhoods.
Public school system performance faces chronic funding and structural hurdles, prompting many families to explore alternatives.
Varying rates of economic mobility leave certain historically underserved neighborhoods behind the city's broader growth.
Post-pandemic economic and job growth recovery has occasionally lagged behind other major U.S. metropolitan regions.
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.
Philadelphia
#512Pennsylvania, USA
51.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,768
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
68.0/100
Walkability
76.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
55.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.10%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
75
Business
70
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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