Fresno CA 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Syracuse
6.8%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 146,211 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 12.1% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 6.7% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 6.8% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 10.3% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Fresno +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Syracuse
7.4%
Syracuse +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Fresno +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $45,845 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $27,570 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 7.4% | Syracuse + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 29.6% | Fresno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Fresno +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 41.3% | Fresno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | Syracuse + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Fresno +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Syracuse
12.7%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Fresno +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 41.5% | Fresno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.7% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 20.8% | Fresno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.3% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 16.1% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 41.5 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, 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 503 in Fresno. Syracuse has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fresno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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