El Paso TX 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 146,211 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 12.1% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 3.6% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 10.3% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
El Paso +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
El Paso +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
El Paso +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
El Paso +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $45,845 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $27,570 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 7.4% | El Paso + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 29.6% | El Paso + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 41.3% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 434 | Syracuse + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 41.5% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 20.8% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.1% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 41.5 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Syracuse + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
El Paso leads in median household income at $58,734, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Syracuse is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. El Paso has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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