Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Syracuse, NY
VS
Toms River, NJ
🏆 Toms River leads 16 of 23 categories
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
Toms River
New Jersey
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$92,012 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
35 ✓ Safer
Population
92,827
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Syracuse, NY
Pros
Homes cost $238k less ($117,900 vs $356,100)
Rent averages $660/mo less ($932 vs $1,592)
Commutes run 13 min shorter each way
17% cheaper overall cost of living than Toms River
Smaller class sizes — 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Toms River by $48,428/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 5.7%)
Toms River, NJ
Pros
Households earn $48,428 more per year on average
82% less violent crime than Syracuse
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.9 pts lower (5.7%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (134.3 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 34.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 42°F vs 32°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $356,100
Higher rents — median is $1,592/mo
Cost of living runs 17% higher than Syracuse
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Syracuse
Cost of Living
17% cheaper
COL index 95.2 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Syracuse
Median Home Value
$238k less
$117,900 vs $356,100
Toms River
Median Income
$48,428
$92,012 vs $43,584/yr
Toms River
Violent Crime
82% lower
134.3 vs 765.3 per 100k
Toms River
Unemployment
2.9 pp lower
5.7% vs 8.6% unemployment
Toms River
Summer Heat
3.8°F warmer
July avg high 85.5°F vs 81.7°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Toms River, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 95.2 ✓ Cheaper | 112.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $117,900 ✓ Lower | $356,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $932 ✓ Lower | $1,592⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $43,584 | $92,012 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6%⚠ High | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.6 min ✓ Shorter | 30.9 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 9.3% | 11.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 201⚠ High | 43 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 201⚠ High | 35 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 202⚠ High | 53 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (98) | B+ (107) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 10.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 13.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 29.7% | 34.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 84.5% | 93.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SYRACUSE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | Toms River Regional School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F | 41.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.7°F | 85.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 43.4" ✓ Drier | 52.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 127.8" | 23.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 146,134 ✓ Larger | 92,827 |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 42.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.8% | 80.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.0% | 21.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.3% | 18.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Syracuse's cost of living index is 95.2 vs Toms River's 112.5 (US average = 100).
Syracuse is 17% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Toms River leads 16 of 23 categories. Syracuse wins 7 and Toms River wins 16. 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 Syracuse to Toms River or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($117,900 vs $356,100 median home), income ($43,584 vs $92,012), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Syracuse, NY and Toms River, NJ are about 234 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.