Flint 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)
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
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
Flint
80,835
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Flint
34.4%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Syracuse
27.6%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 34.4% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 56.6% | 27.6% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 10.3% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Syracuse
$45,845
Syracuse +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Syracuse
$27,570
Syracuse +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Syracuse
7.4%
Syracuse +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Syracuse
29.6%
Syracuse +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $45,845 | Syracuse + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $27,570 | Syracuse + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 7.4% | Syracuse + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 29.6% | Syracuse + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Syracuse
$215,134
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $215,134 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 41.3% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Syracuse
1736
| Metric | Flint, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 434 | Syracuse + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1736 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Syracuse
41.5%
Syracuse +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Syracuse
20.8%
Syracuse +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Syracuse
16.1%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 41.5% | Syracuse + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 20.8% | Syracuse + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.3% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 16.1% | Syracuse + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Syracuse
49.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 49.0°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 41.5 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Flint, 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
Flint
25.0 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Syracuse leads in median household income at $45,845, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Syracuse is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. 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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