City Comparison
Surprise vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Surprise scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Surprise
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Syracuse is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Surprise.
Housing costs are a major driver: Surprise's average rent is
36% higher than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Surprise | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,100 | $1,546 | +36% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $327 | -45% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $3,020 | $2,593 | +16% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Surprise offers 23% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Surprise delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Surprise is estimated at
$60,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Surprise | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,469 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $96,711 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Surprise runs warmer on average — a 75.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Surprise comes out ahead with 330 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Surprise sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Surprise | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 75.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 106.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 47.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 10.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 330 | |
| Humidity | 30.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Surprise.
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 | Surprise | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Surprise is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Syracuse.
From a growth perspective, Surprise is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Surprise has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Surprise | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 167,602 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.31% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 41.4 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Surprise
Advantages
Ranks consistently among the top safest cities in Arizona with low violent crime rates.
Average rent and home prices remain more affordable compared to central Phoenix and Scottsdale.
Hosts Major League Baseball Spring Training at the state-of-the-art Surprise Stadium.
Median household income of $96,711 significantly outperforms the national and state averages.
Abundant sunshine with over 330 sunny days per year supporting an active outdoor lifestyle.
Drawbacks
High summer temperatures exceeding 106°F make outdoor activities difficult during peak afternoons.
High car dependency with limited public mass transit options within the city.
Rapid population growth has occasionally introduced traffic congestion along major commuter corridors.
Significant spike in summer electricity and cooling utility bills due to extreme desert heat.
Summer monsoon season can occasionally bring brief, intense dust storms and heavy rainfall.
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.
Surprise
#13Arizona, USA
74.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,100
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
330/yr
Avg Temp
75.10°F
Pop. Growth
3.31%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
80
Business
72
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 Surprise and Syracuse.
Open Cost Calculator