Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Syracuse
27.6%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 146,211 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 11.7% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 76.8% | 27.6% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 10.3% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Syracuse
$45,845
Syracuse +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Syracuse
$27,570
Syracuse +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Syracuse
7.4%
Syracuse +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Syracuse
29.6%
Syracuse +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $45,845 | Syracuse + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $27,570 | Syracuse + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 7.4% | Syracuse + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 29.6% | Syracuse + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Syracuse
$215,134
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $215,134 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 41.3% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Syracuse
1736
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 434 | Syracuse + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1736 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Syracuse
41.5%
Syracuse +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Syracuse
20.8%
Syracuse +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Syracuse
16.1%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 41.5% | Syracuse + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 20.8% | Syracuse + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.3% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 16.1% | Syracuse + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 41.5 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Syracuse + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Syracuse leads in median household income at $45,845, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Syracuse is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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