City Comparison
Whitefish vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Syracuse scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Whitefish
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Syracuse is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Whitefish.
Housing costs are a major driver: Whitefish's average rent is
13% higher than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Whitefish | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,546 | +13% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $327 | -45% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $2,670 | $2,593 | +3% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Whitefish offers 6% higher 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 Whitefish is estimated at
$65,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Whitefish | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 50,820 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $73,811 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Whitefish runs warmer on average — a 44.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Whitefish comes out ahead with 249 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Whitefish sees 63.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Whitefish | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 44.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 75.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 16.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 26.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 63.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | |
| Humidity | 60.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Syracuse scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Whitefish leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Whitefish | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Whitefish.
From a growth perspective, Whitefish is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Whitefish has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Whitefish | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,358 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 44.4 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.60% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Whitefish
Advantages
Median household income stands at a healthy $73,811 per year, reflecting local economic stability.
Exceptional proximity to Glacier National Park and world-class skiing at Whitefish Mountain Resort.
Low violent crime rates and a strong community safety profile.
High civic engagement and a vibrant, walkable downtown core filled with local dining and arts.
Clean air, pristine natural water bodies, and outstanding year-round outdoor recreation opportunities.
Drawbacks
High median property values exceeding $680,000 place intense pressure on local housing affordability.
Cost of living significantly outpaces the broader Montana state average.
Seasonal tourism surges create heavy traffic congestion and parking strains downtown.
Local wages often lag behind high housing costs, creating financial strain for service-sector workers.
Limited rental inventory due to the prevalence of short-term vacation properties.
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.
Whitefish
#455Montana, USA
55.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
122
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
44.90°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
82
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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