Performance
Score Breakdown
Schenectady
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Syracuse is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
19% higher compared to Schenectady.
| Metric | Schenectady | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,425 | $1,546 | -8% |
| Groceries | $442 | $450 | -2% |
| Utilities | $323 | $327 | -1% |
| Transport | $899 | $120 | +649% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $3,089 | $2,593 | +19% |
| Cost Index | 99 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Syracuse offers 5% 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 Schenectady is estimated at
$70,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Schenectady | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $55,374 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $70,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 55,933 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $58,399 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Schenectady | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 66.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Schenectady.
Schenectady scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Schenectady leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Schenectady | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 50.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 57.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Syracuse is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Schenectady.
From a growth perspective, Schenectady is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Schenectady | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,847 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.00% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.00% | 5.10% |
| GDP | $11.3B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Schenectady
Advantages
Exceptional Livability Score of 78/100 [22].
Cost of living is 18% lower than the New York State average [22].
Median sale price of homes increased by 6.2% year-over-year as of June 2026 [25].
Revitalized downtown area with growing tech firms and cultural attractions [41].
Schenectady County experienced a 5% GDP growth in 2023 [8].
Drawbacks
High crime rates, with a safety grade of 'F' and violent crime rates significantly above national averages [8, 22].
Homeownership rate (45.6%) is lower than the national average (65.2%) [3].
Median household income ($58,399) is lower than the national average.
Moderate public transit score of 50/100 [27].
Higher than average transportation costs (5% higher than national average) [21].
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.
Schenectady
#56New York, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,425
Avg Salary
$55,374
Cost Index
99
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
50.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.00%
Unemployment
5.00%
Livability
78
Business
65
Syracuse
#56New York, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,546
Avg Salary
$58,525
Cost Index
103
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
57.0/10
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 Schenectady and Syracuse.
Open Cost Calculator