City Comparison
Yonkers vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Syracuse scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Yonkers
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Syracuse is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
19% lower than in Yonkers.
Housing costs are a major driver: Yonkers's average rent is
39% higher than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Yonkers | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,150 | $1,546 | +39% |
| Groceries | $460 | $450 | +2% |
| Utilities | $195 | $327 | -40% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $270 | $150 | +80% |
| Monthly Total | $3,205 | $2,593 | +24% |
| Cost Index | 128 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Yonkers offers 26% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Yonkers delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Yonkers is estimated at
$68,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Yonkers | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $74,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $68,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,813 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $82,500 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Yonkers runs warmer on average — a 54°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Yonkers comes out ahead with 245 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Yonkers sees 20.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Yonkers | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 24.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 41.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 20.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 245 | |
| Humidity | 66.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,000 minutes (133 hours) per year compared to Yonkers.
Yonkers scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Yonkers leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Yonkers | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 34 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 65.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Yonkers is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of Syracuse.
From a growth perspective, Syracuse is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Yonkers has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Yonkers | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 208,535 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Yonkers
Advantages
Rapid 30-minute Metro-North train commute from Yonkers station to Manhattan's Grand Central Terminal.
Vibrant waterfront redevelopment featuring luxury housing, dining, and scenic Hudson River views.
Home to historic cultural attractions like the stunning Untermyer Gardens Conservancy.
Expanding economic footprint driven by major media investments, including Lionsgate Studios Yonkers.
More accessible housing and rental prices compared to adjacent New York City boroughs.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living and property tax burdens remain notably higher than the U.S. national average.
Traffic congestion along major regional parkways and highways during peak commuting hours.
Significant disparities in neighborhood safety and infrastructure maintenance across different city sectors.
Older housing stock in certain areas may require costly maintenance and energy-efficiency upgrades.
Winter weather brings heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures requiring active municipal snow removal.
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.
Yonkers
#548New York, USA
48.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,150
Avg Salary
$74,000
Cost Index
128
Commute
34 min
Transit Score
65.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
245/yr
Avg Temp
54.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
75
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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