another big difference is the longevity, the mafia-type groups last a lot of time, even hundred years, a cartel by far less, look like medellin and cali cartels were entirely dismantled, and sinaloa and the mexican ones would be in the next years
one of the greatest successes of the mafias is handed down from generation to generation, that's why italian mafia in the united states is still alive and other groups jewish, irish etc. disappeared, at least those active long ago
The mafia organizations are definetely more deep rooted into their communities and socities unlike the cartels which are practically "new", the mafia families also haven't had much intervention from the most powerful state or nation of the world, the USA unlike in Colombia and Mexico, the U.S DEA and CIA are more deeply involved and entrenched into their information entrenched into their information/intelligence gathering. It's very different from Europe where the INTERPOL doesn't have enough intelligence gathering techniques and sophisticated equipment to go after the bosses or cartels. The U.S is in a joint operation with the Mexican government to dismantle or "get rid" of or even control the drug trade how they see it benefits either or both, socities .
