City Comparison
Suffolk vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Suffolk scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Suffolk
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Suffolk is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Syracuse.
Housing costs are a major driver: Suffolk's average rent is
10% higher than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Suffolk | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,697 | $1,546 | +10% |
| Groceries | $360 | $450 | -20% |
| Utilities | $325 | $327 | -1% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,532 | $2,593 | -2% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Syracuse offers 17% 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 Suffolk is estimated at
$67,872 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Suffolk | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,468 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $67,872 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 49,457 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $92,666 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Suffolk runs warmer on average — a 60.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Suffolk comes out ahead with 246 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Suffolk sees 12.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Suffolk | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 60.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 31.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 47.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 12.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 246 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Suffolk.
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 | Suffolk | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 15.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 70.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Suffolk.
From a growth perspective, Suffolk is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Suffolk has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Suffolk | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 104,699 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.64% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Suffolk
Advantages
Suffolk's overall cost of living is 2.1% below the national average, making it relatively affordable.
The city boasts a high livability score of 77/100, indicating a good quality of life.
Employment in Suffolk grew by 1.3% over the past year, with a projected future job growth of 35.2% over ten years.
Suffolk offers abundant natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities, including the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.
Healthcare facilities like Sentara Obici Hospital have received 'Patient Safety Excellence Awards' (2026, 2025, 2024), indicating high-quality care.
Drawbacks
Suffolk is a car-dependent city with a low Walk Score of 15, meaning most errands require a vehicle.
The average commute time of 30.2 minutes is longer than the national average, and traffic can be an issue.
Property crime rates are 9% higher than the national average, despite an overall crime rate that is slightly lower.
Utilities in Suffolk are about 50% higher than the Virginia city average, primarily driven by sewer costs.
Public transportation options are limited, contributing to car dependency and potentially longer commutes.
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.
Suffolk
#268Virginia, USA
61.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,697
Avg Salary
$48,468
Cost Index
98
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
15.0/100
Sunny Days
246/yr
Avg Temp
60.50°F
Pop. Growth
1.64%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
77
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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