Grand Island NE 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)
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Grand Island
N/A
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Island
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Grand Island
N/A
Syracuse
31.9
Foreign Born
Grand Island
N/A
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Grand Island
N/A
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Grand Island
N/A
Syracuse
27.6%
Asian
Grand Island
N/A
Syracuse
6.8%
Hispanic
Grand Island
N/A
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Grand Island
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 146,211 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 31.9 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 12.1% | - |
| White | N/A | 51.9% | - |
| Black | N/A | 27.6% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 6.8% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 10.3% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Island
N/A
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Grand Island
N/A
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Island
$66,354
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Island
N/A
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $45,845 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $27,570 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 7.4% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 29.6% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 30.5% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Island
$254,245
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $254,245 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 41.3% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
1960
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 434 | Grand Island + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
41.5%
Syracuse
41.5%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
11.6%
Grand Island +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
17.5%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
19.1%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
14.8%
Grand Island +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 41.5% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 12.7% | Grand Island + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 20.8% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 16.1% | Grand Island + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
50.8°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
26.7 in
Grand Island +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 41.5 in | Grand Island + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Grand Island +
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Island
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Grand Island + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Island
N/A
Syracuse
19.3 min
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 19.3 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Grand Island has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Syracuse scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.5%.
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