City Comparison
Red Deer vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Red Deer scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Red Deer
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Red Deer is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Syracuse.
| Metric | Red Deer | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,459 | $1,546 | -6% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $327 | -45% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $150 | +33% |
| Monthly Total | $2,329 | $2,593 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Syracuse offers 6% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Red Deer delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Red Deer is estimated at
$48,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Red Deer | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $55,250 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,054 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $85,000 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Red Deer runs warmer on average — a 39.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Red Deer comes out ahead with 262 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Red Deer sees 43.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Red Deer | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 39.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 70.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 2.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 18.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 43.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 262 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Red Deer leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Red Deer | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Red Deer.
From a growth perspective, Red Deer 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 | Red Deer | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,409 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.00% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 7.30% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Red Deer
Advantages
Average home purchase and rental costs are significantly more affordable than major hubs like Calgary, Toronto, and Vancouver.
Extensive park and trail systems, including over 100 km of paved pathways through Waskasoo Park, offer exceptional outdoor recreation.
Strategic location along the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor provides robust economic connectivity and short commute times.
A massive $1.8 billion hospital expansion is underway to dramatically enhance regional healthcare and cardiac treatment capacity.
Thriving local economy with strong employment bases in healthcare, education, construction, and manufacturing.
Drawbacks
Property and vehicle-related crime rates remain higher than the national median, requiring standard urban safety awareness.
Winters feature prolonged periods of deep cold, typical of central Alberta's continental climate zone.
Public transit utility is limited outside of core routes, making car ownership a near necessity for most residents.
Deregulated provincial energy markets can lead to significant seasonal volatility in monthly utility bills.
Pockets of rental market tightness can occur during peak economic growth cycles in central Alberta.
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.
Red Deer
#40Alberta, Canada
62.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,459
Avg Salary
$55,250
Cost Index
92
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
262/yr
Avg Temp
39.60°F
Pop. Growth
2.00%
Unemployment
7.30%
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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