Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Syracuse
27.6%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 146,211 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 12.1% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 51.9% | Columbus + |
| Black | 29.0% | 27.6% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 10.3% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Columbus +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $45,845 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $27,570 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 7.4% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 29.6% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 30.5% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Columbus +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 41.3% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 434 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Columbus +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Syracuse
9.7%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Columbus +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 41.5% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.7% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 20.8% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.7% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.1% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Syracuse
49.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 41.5 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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