10 Best Independent Living Communities in Syracuse, NY

 

Learn More About Independent Living in Syracuse, NY

 

Syracuse is a medium-sized city located in the heart of upstate New York, and has been consistently rated as one of America’s most livable cities. Syracuse is known for its affordability in comparison to other similarly-sized cities, making it a great option for senior living.

Independent living communities — also known simply as retirement communities — in Syracuse, New York are geared towards seniors who are able to live on their own, without daily assistance, and prefer to live among people their age. This usually means residents are self-sufficient and do not require hands-on care. Think of Syracuse retirement communities as age-restricted (typically 55+) complexes, which provide organized activities, meal services, and transportation.

Cost of Independent Living in Syracuse, NY

The median monthly cost of independent living in Syracuse is about $2,800 in the city proper and $3,100 within the metropolitan area. The median monthly cost of independent living in the state of New York is around $3,000.

 

Learn More About Syracuse, NY

 

Cost of Living

 

The cost of living in Syracuse is rated well below the national average, especially compared to other cities in the Empire State, like New York City or Albany. Syracuse’s affordability is reflected in the city’s relatively inexpensive rents and low cost-index ratings.

Index Scores

All index scores are based on a scale that has the national average set at 100. A score of 200 indicates that the cost is two times greater than the national average, while a score of 50 indicates that the cost is half the average.

Household Expenses	Health Care	Insurance	Entertainment	Grocery	Clothing
82	74	71	88	84	77

 

Income and Housing

Median income age 45-64	Median income age 65+	Median household income	Average individual income	Median employee salary	Average property tax	One-bedroom apartment gross rent estimate
$39,050 per year	$29,764 per year	$34,038 per year	$21,253 per year	$47,980 per year	$3,115 per year	$647 per month

 

 

Local Hospitals

 

The top hospitals that service Syracuse include:

Syracuse VA Medical Center

• Facility type: Veterans Administration acute care
• Bed count: 100+
• Specialties: primary care, mental health, long-term care, tertiary care, geriatric care

Hutchings Psychiatric Center

• Facility type: government, psychiatric
• Bed count: 100+
• Specialties: inpatient services, outpatient services

St. Joseph’s Medical Center

• Facility type: faith-based acute care
• Bed count: 430+
• Specialties: cardiovascular care, bariatric surgery, primary care, behavioral health

 

 

Weather and Climate

 

Syracuse’s climate is classified as warm-summer continental, which means the city experiences pleasant summers, chilly winters, and above average precipitation. The city is known for the high amount of snow it receives each year. The average humidity level is 70%, and humidity levels are often highest during December at about 76%.

 

Seasonal Temperatures

January Average	January Maximum	January Minimum
22.7°F	31.4°F	14°F

 

July Average	July Maximum	July Minimum
70.9°F	81.7°F	60.1°F

 

Air Quality

• Relative Air Quality Index: 89

This index is based on a scale that has the national average set at 100. A score of 200 indicates twice the presence of air pollutants than the national average, while a score of 50 indicates half the presence.

Precipitation

• Average Annual Precipitation: 40.0″

 

 

Demographics and Values

 

Population Statistics

Median age	Percent of population over 65	Population	Population Density	Average Household Size
32.7	12.2%	143,248	5,719.9 per square mile	2.29

 

Race & Ethnicity

American Indian or Alaskan Native	Asian	Black	Hispanic or Latino	Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	White (not Hispanic or Latino)
1.3%	5.9%	13.4%	18.5%	0.2%	2.8%	60.1%

These figures were taken from the most recent U.S. Census.

 

LGBTQ+ Inclusivity

These scores were taken from the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index.

• Non-discrimination laws in Syracuse: 30/30
• Overall inclusivity: 74/100

 

2016 Presidential Election Results for Onondaga County

Democratic	Republican	Other
53.6%	40.8%	5.6%

 

 

Arts, Culture, Entertainment, and Recreation

 

Syracuse is a medium-sized city located in Upstate New York that is known for receiving high amounts of snowfall. The city of Syracuse competes every year against other Upstate cities for the coveted Golden Snowball Award, which is given out annually to the city with the most snowfall at the end of winter. The summers in Syracuse are gorgeous, however, and are best spent on the shores of Lake Onondaga. The lake recently underwent a massive cleanup effort and is now a great spot for boating, fishing, or simply a nice walk. Lake Onondaga sits at the start of the famous Erie Canal, which connects Upstate New York to the Great Lakes, and its significance has earned it a place in regional history. The city of Syracuse operates the Erie Canal Museum, celebrating the history of the canal and its role in local industry. The museum is located in the old Weighlock Building which was originally built in 1850.

Another popular museum in Syracuse is the Salt Museum, which traces the history of salt and the role played by Syracuse in the mineral’s industry, The museum, located on the shores of Lake Onondaga, offers visitors a chance to observe an extensive collection of salt-related artifacts and living history exhibits. Other popular attractions in the city include the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, the Everson Museum of Art, and the Museum of Science and Technology.

 

Transportation

Public transportation is provided by Centro, which operates bus routes throughout Syracuse and surrounding Onondaga County. The main transfer location, Centro Transit Hub, is located in downtown Syracuse.