Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Syracuse
31.9
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 31.9 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 59.2% | 51.9% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 10.3% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Syracuse
$45,845
Syracuse +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Gainesville +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Gainesville +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $45,845 | Syracuse + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $27,570 | Gainesville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 7.4% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 29.6% | Gainesville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 30.5% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Syracuse
41.3%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 41.3% | Syracuse + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Syracuse
1736
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 434 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1736 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Syracuse
20.8%
Syracuse +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 41.5% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 12.7% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 20.8% | Syracuse + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.1% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Syracuse leads in median household income at $45,845, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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