Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Syracuse, NY
VS
Washington, DC
🏆 Washington leads 13 of 22 categories
Syracuse
New York
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.2 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$43,584
Violent Crime Index
201⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
146,134
Washington
District of Columbia
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$101,722 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
244⚠ High
Population
670,587 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Syracuse, NY
Pros
Homes cost $587k less ($117,900 vs $705,000)
Rent averages $885/mo less ($932 vs $1,817)
17% less violent crime than Washington
Commutes run 13 min shorter each way
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Washington
Cooler summers — July highs near 82°F vs 90°F
Cons
Median income trails Washington by $58,138/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 7.1%)
Washington, DC
Pros
Households earn $58,138 more per year on average
More college-educated — 62.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (7.1%)
Milder winters — January highs near 45°F vs 32°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $705,000
Higher rents — median is $1,817/mo
Violent crime (925.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 13% higher than Syracuse
Key Differences at a Glance
Syracuse
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 95.2 vs 108.6 (100 = US avg)
Syracuse
Violent Crime
17% lower
765.3 vs 925.9 per 100k
Syracuse
Median Home Value
$587k less
$117,900 vs $705,000
Washington
Median Income
$58,138
$101,722 vs $43,584/yr
Washington
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
7.1% vs 8.6% unemployment
Washington
Summer Heat
8.1°F warmer
July avg high 89.8°F vs 81.7°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Washington, DC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 95.2 ✓ Cheaper | 108.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $117,900 ✓ Lower | $705,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $932 ✓ Lower | $1,817⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $43,584 | $101,722 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6%⚠ High | 7.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.6 min ✓ Shorter | 30.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 9.3% | 25.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 201⚠ High ✓ Safer | 215⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 201⚠ High ✓ Safer | 244⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 202⚠ High | 171⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (98) | A (119) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 10.9:1 | 10.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 29.7% | 62.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 84.5% | 92.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SYRACUSE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | District of Columbia Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F | 44.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.7°F | 89.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 43.4" ✓ Drier | 45.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 127.8" | 9.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 146,134 | 670,587 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.8% | 41.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.0% ✓ More | 18.5% |
| Over 65 | 13.3% ✓ More | 12.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Syracuse's cost of living index is 95.2 vs Washington's 108.6 (US average = 100).
Syracuse is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Washington leads 13 of 22 categories. Syracuse wins 9 and Washington 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 Syracuse to Washington or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($117,900 vs $705,000 median home), income ($43,584 vs $101,722), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Syracuse, NY and Washington, DC are about 289 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.