Athens GA 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Syracuse
31.9
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 31.9 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 57.6% | 51.9% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 10.3% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Athens +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Athens +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Athens +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $45,845 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $27,570 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 7.4% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 29.6% | Athens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 30.5% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Syracuse
41.3%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 41.3% | Syracuse + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 434 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Syracuse
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Syracuse + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Athens leads in median household income at $51,655, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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