Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Syracuse
27.6%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 146,211 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 49.4% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 38.7% | 27.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 10.3% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Cincinnati +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Cincinnati +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Cincinnati +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $45,845 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $27,570 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 7.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 29.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 30.5% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Syracuse
41.3%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 41.3% | Syracuse + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 434 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Cincinnati +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Cincinnati +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Syracuse
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Syracuse
16.1%
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 41.5% | Cincinnati + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 20.8% | Cincinnati + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.1% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Syracuse + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cincinnati leads in median household income at $51,707, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cincinnati scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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