Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Syracuse, NY
VS
Vancouver, WA
🏆 Vancouver leads 15 of 23 categories
Syracuse
New York
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.2 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$43,584
Violent Crime Index
201⚠ High
Population
146,134
Vancouver
Washington
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,626 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
153⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
190,700 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Syracuse, NY
Pros
Homes cost $286k less ($117,900 vs $403,400)
Rent averages $593/mo less ($932 vs $1,525)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Vancouver
Smaller class sizes — 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Vancouver by $30,042/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 5.6%)
Vancouver, WA
Pros
Households earn $30,042 more per year on average
24% less violent crime than Syracuse
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.0 pts lower (5.6%)
Milder winters — January highs near 47°F vs 32°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $403,400
Higher rents — median is $1,525/mo
Violent crime (582.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3407.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Syracuse
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 95.2 vs 106.6 (100 = US avg)
Syracuse
Median Home Value
$286k less
$117,900 vs $403,400
Vancouver
Median Income
$30,042
$73,626 vs $43,584/yr
Vancouver
Violent Crime
24% lower
582.3 vs 765.3 per 100k
Vancouver
Unemployment
3.0 pp lower
5.6% vs 8.6% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Vancouver, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 95.2 ✓ Cheaper | 106.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $117,900 ✓ Lower | $403,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $932 ✓ Lower | $1,525⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $43,584 | $73,626 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6%⚠ High | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.6 min ✓ Shorter | 23.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 9.3% | 13.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 201⚠ High | 157⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 201⚠ High | 153⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 202⚠ High | 162⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (98) ✓ Better | B (97) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 10.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 29.7% | 31.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 84.5% | 91.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SYRACUSE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | Evergreen School District (Clark) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F | 47.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.7°F ✓ Warmer | 80.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 43.4" ✓ Drier | 44.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 127.8" | 4.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 146,134 | 190,700 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.8% | 50.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.0% | 21.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.3% | 16.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Syracuse's cost of living index is 95.2 vs Vancouver's 106.6 (US average = 100).
Syracuse is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Vancouver leads 15 of 23 categories. Syracuse wins 8 and Vancouver wins 15. 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 Vancouver or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($117,900 vs $403,400 median home), income ($43,584 vs $73,626), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Syracuse, NY and Vancouver, WA are about 2,270 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.