Elizabeth NJ 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)
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
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
Elizabeth
135,887
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 12.1% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 17.1% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 10.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Elizabeth +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Elizabeth +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $45,845 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $27,570 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 7.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 29.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Syracuse
41.3%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 41.3% | Syracuse + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Syracuse
1736
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 434 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1736 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Elizabeth +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 41.5% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 20.8% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 16.1% | Elizabeth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Syracuse
49.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Elizabeth has a lower unemployment rate at 6.9%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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