Charlotte 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Syracuse
27.6%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 146,211 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 12.1% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 34.1% | 27.6% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 10.3% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $45,845 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $27,570 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 7.4% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 29.6% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 30.5% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Charlotte +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 41.3% | Charlotte + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 41.5% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 12.7% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 20.8% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 16.1% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, 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
Charlotte
26.7 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Charlotte is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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