Albany NY vs Syracuse NY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Syracuse
31.9
Tie
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Syracuse
6.8%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 31.9 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 12.1% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 51.9% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 6.8% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 10.3% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Albany +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Syracuse
$77,425
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Syracuse
7.4%
Syracuse +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Albany +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $45,845 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $27,570 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,425 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 7.4% | Syracuse + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 29.6% | Albany + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 30.5% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Syracuse
41.3%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 41.3% | Syracuse + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Syracuse
434
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Syracuse
1736
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 434 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1736 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Syracuse
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 41.5% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.7% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 20.8% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 9.7% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 16.1% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Syracuse
49.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 49.0°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 41.5 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albany leads in median household income at $59,485, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Syracuse is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Syracuse has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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