City Comparison
Riverton vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Riverton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Riverton
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Riverton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
34% lower than in Syracuse.
Housing costs are a major driver: Riverton's average rent is
26% lower than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Riverton | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,546 | -26% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $170 | $327 | -48% |
| Transport | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,720 | $2,593 | -34% |
| Cost Index | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Syracuse offers 38% lower average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Riverton is estimated at
$45,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Riverton | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $36,500 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $75,000 |
| Household Income | $55,208 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Riverton runs warmer on average — a 48.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Riverton comes out ahead with 314 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Riverton sees 24.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Riverton | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 15.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 9.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 24.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 314 | |
| Humidity | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Riverton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Syracuse.
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 | Riverton | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | — | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | — | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Riverton.
From a growth perspective, Riverton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Riverton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Riverton | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,978 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.62% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Riverton
Advantages
The average rent in Riverton is significantly lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to live.
The median home sale price of $240,000 in August 2026 is considerably below the national average, offering value for homebuyers.
Riverton boasts 314 sunny days annually, providing ample opportunity for outdoor activities.
The average commute time is a short 14.5 minutes, reducing daily travel stress for residents.
New healthcare facilities, such as River Peak Health, are being established, indicating an improvement in healthcare access and services.
Drawbacks
Specific data for unemployment rate, transit score, and walkability score for Riverton is not readily available, indicating potential gaps in public services or data collection.
The economy, while stable, is concentrated in a few sectors (Healthcare, Education, Retail), which might limit job diversity and growth opportunities outside these areas.
The city is highly car-dependent, with limited public transportation options, which could be a drawback for those without personal vehicles.
Detailed, recent crime rate data (2024 or later) to accurately assess safety is not publicly available.
While the cost of living is low, the average individual salary is also modest compared to the national GDP per capita, requiring careful financial planning.
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.
Riverton
#178Wyoming, USA
64.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$36,500
Cost Index
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
314/yr
Avg Temp
48.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.62%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
70
Business
55
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 Riverton and Syracuse.
Open Cost Calculator