Asheville NC 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)
Asheville, NC
North Carolina · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$461,425
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Asheville
N/A
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Syracuse
31.9
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Asheville
N/A
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Syracuse
27.6%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Syracuse
6.8%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 146,211 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 31.9 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 12.1% | - |
| White | N/A | 51.9% | - |
| Black | N/A | 27.6% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 6.8% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 10.3% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $45,845 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $27,570 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 7.4% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 29.6% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 30.5% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 41.3% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Asheville +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | Asheville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Syracuse
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 41.5% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.7% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 20.8% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 9.7% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 16.1% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Syracuse
19.3 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 19.3 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Asheville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
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