Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Syracuse
27.6%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Syracuse
6.8%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 146,211 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 12.1% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 28.4% | 27.6% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 6.8% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 10.3% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Syracuse
7.4%
Syracuse +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $45,845 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $27,570 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 7.4% | Syracuse + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 29.6% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 30.5% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Chicago +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 41.3% | Chicago + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 434 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 41.5% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.7% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 20.8% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.1% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 41.5 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Syracuse + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. 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, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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