Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elizabeth, NJ
VS
Syracuse, NY
🏆 Syracuse leads 13 of 23 categories
Elizabeth
New Jersey
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$59,939 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
108⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
135,665
Syracuse
New York
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.2 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$43,584
Violent Crime Index
201⚠ High
Population
146,134 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elizabeth, NJ
Pros
47% less violent crime than Syracuse
Households earn $16,355 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.7 pts lower (5.9%)
Milder winters — January highs near 40°F vs 32°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $358,400
Higher rents — median is $1,390/mo
Cost of living runs 17% higher than Syracuse
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Syracuse, NY
Pros
Homes cost $241k less ($117,900 vs $358,400)
Rent averages $458/mo less ($932 vs $1,390)
17% cheaper overall cost of living than Elizabeth
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 29.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 82°F vs 87°F
Cons
Median income trails Elizabeth by $16,355/yr
Violent crime (765.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4234.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.6% vs 5.9%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Elizabeth
Median Income
$16,355
$59,939 vs $43,584/yr
Elizabeth
Violent Crime
47% lower
408.7 vs 765.3 per 100k
Elizabeth
Unemployment
2.7 pp lower
5.9% vs 8.6% unemployment
Elizabeth
Summer Heat
5.2°F warmer
July avg high 86.9°F vs 81.7°F
Syracuse
Cost of Living
17% cheaper
COL index 95.2 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Syracuse
Median Home Value
$241k less
$117,900 vs $358,400
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Syracuse, NY |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 112.5⚠ High | 95.2 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $358,400⚠ High | $117,900 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,390⚠ High | $932 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,939 ✓ Higher | $43,584 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.7 min | 17.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 4.8% | 9.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer | 201⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 108⚠ High ✓ Safer | 201⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 127⚠ High ✓ Safer | 202⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (91) | B (98) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.0:1 | 10.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 14.1% | 29.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 74.3% | 84.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Elizabeth Public Schools | SYRACUSE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 40.0°F ✓ Warmer | 31.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 86.9°F ✓ Warmer | 81.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 46.6" | 43.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 31.5" ✓ Less | 127.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 135,665 | 146,134 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.7 ✓ Older | 31.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.1% | 40.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 25.4% ✓ More | 21.0% |
| Over 65 | 11.4% | 13.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elizabeth's cost of living index is 112.5 vs Syracuse's 95.2 (US average = 100).
Syracuse is 17% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Syracuse leads 13 of 23 categories. Elizabeth wins 10 and Syracuse wins 13. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Elizabeth to Syracuse or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($358,400 vs $117,900 median home), income ($59,939 vs $43,584), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elizabeth, NJ and Syracuse, NY are about 192 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.