City Comparison
Thornton vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Thornton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Thornton
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Syracuse is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Thornton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Thornton's average rent is
26% higher than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Thornton | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,945 | $1,546 | +26% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $327 | -45% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $2,895 | $2,593 | +12% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Thornton offers 33% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Thornton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Thornton is estimated at
$62,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Thornton | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 74,286 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $103,088 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Thornton runs warmer on average — a 53.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Thornton comes out ahead with 285 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Thornton sees 22.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Thornton | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 17.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 22.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 285 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Thornton.
Thornton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Thornton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Thornton | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Thornton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Thornton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Thornton | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,766 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.05% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Thornton
Advantages
Median household income stands strong at $103,088, comfortably outpacing the national median.
Strategic location along the I-25 corridor provides rapid access to downtown Denver and Denver International Airport.
Extensive recreational infrastructure featuring over 81 parks and extensive multi-use trail networks.
Direct commuter rail access to the Denver metro area via the RTD N Line stations.
Proactive municipal planning and infrastructure investment ensuring robust water supply and commercial growth.
Drawbacks
Cost of living sits roughly 5.8% above the national average, driven by competitive regional housing pressures.
High car dependency across many older neighborhoods outside of the newer transit-oriented developments.
Significant commuter traffic bottlenecks along major interstate corridors during peak morning and evening hours.
Average home purchase and rental prices have climbed sharply over recent years, challenging first-time buyers.
Continental interior climate brings volatile winter temperature swings and occasional heavy spring snowstorms.
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.
Thornton
#197Colorado, USA
63.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,945
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
285/yr
Avg Temp
53.20°F
Pop. Growth
1.05%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
76
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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