Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fullerton, CA
VS
Syracuse, NY
🏆 Fullerton leads 16 of 23 categories
Fullerton
California
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$99,279 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
120⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
142,280
Syracuse
New York
7
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.
Fullerton, CA
Pros
Households earn $55,695 more per year on average
41% less violent crime than Syracuse
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (6.9%)
Milder winters — January highs near 69°F vs 32°F
More college-educated — 44.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $791,000
Higher rents — median is $1,989/mo
Violent crime (455.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 20% higher than Syracuse
Syracuse, NY
Pros
Homes cost $673k less ($117,900 vs $791,000)
Rent averages $1057/mo less ($932 vs $1,989)
20% cheaper overall cost of living than Fullerton
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
Smaller class sizes — 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Fullerton by $55,695/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 6.9%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Fullerton
Median Income
$55,695
$99,279 vs $43,584/yr
Fullerton
Violent Crime
41% lower
455.3 vs 765.3 per 100k
Fullerton
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
6.9% vs 8.6% unemployment
Syracuse
Cost of Living
20% cheaper
COL index 95.2 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Syracuse
Median Home Value
$673k less
$117,900 vs $791,000
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Syracuse, NY |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 115.5⚠ High | 95.2 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $791,000⚠ High | $117,900 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,989⚠ High | $932 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $99,279 ✓ Higher | $43,584 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 30.0 min⚠ High | 17.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 11.3% ✓ Higher | 9.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 110⚠ High ✓ Safer | 201⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 120⚠ High ✓ Safer | 201⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 96 ✓ Safer | 202⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | B (98) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 25.3:1 | 10.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 44.0% ✓ Higher | 29.7% |
| High School or Higher | 89.7% ✓ Higher | 84.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fullerton Elementary | SYRACUSE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 68.8°F ✓ Warmer | 31.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 84.4°F ✓ Warmer | 81.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.9" ✓ Drier | 43.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 127.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 142,280 | 146,134 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.5 ✓ Older | 31.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.6% ✓ Higher | 40.8% |
| Under 18 | 22.4% ✓ More | 21.0% |
| Over 65 | 13.8% ✓ More | 13.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fullerton's cost of living index is 115.5 vs Syracuse's 95.2 (US average = 100).
Syracuse is 20% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Fullerton leads 16 of 23 categories. Fullerton wins 16 and Syracuse wins 7. 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 Fullerton to Syracuse or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($791,000 vs $117,900 median home), income ($99,279 vs $43,584), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fullerton, CA and Syracuse, NY are about 2,321 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.