Cleveland 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Syracuse
27.6%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 146,211 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 36.7% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 46.8% | 27.6% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 10.3% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Syracuse
$45,845
Syracuse +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Syracuse
$27,570
Syracuse +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Syracuse
7.4%
Syracuse +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Syracuse
29.6%
Syracuse +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $45,845 | Syracuse + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $27,570 | Syracuse + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 7.4% | Syracuse + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 29.6% | Syracuse + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Syracuse
$215,134
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Syracuse
41.3%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $215,134 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 41.3% | Syracuse + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 434 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Syracuse
41.5%
Syracuse +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Cleveland +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Syracuse
16.1%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 41.5% | Syracuse + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 20.8% | Cleveland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 16.1% | Syracuse + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 41.5 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Cleveland, 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
Cleveland
24.3 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Syracuse leads in median household income at $45,845, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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, Syracuse scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.5%.
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