Hartford CT 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)
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
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
Hartford
119,970
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Syracuse
27.6%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 12.1% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 36.1% | 27.6% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 10.3% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Syracuse
$45,845
Syracuse +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Syracuse
$27,570
Syracuse +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Syracuse
$77,425
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Syracuse
7.4%
Syracuse +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Hartford +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $45,845 | Syracuse + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $27,570 | Syracuse + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $77,425 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 7.4% | Syracuse + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 29.6% | Hartford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Syracuse
$215,134
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Syracuse
41.3%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $215,134 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 41.3% | Syracuse + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Syracuse
1736
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 434 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1736 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Hartford +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Syracuse
20.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Syracuse
16.1%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 41.5% | Hartford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 20.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 15.3% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.1% | Syracuse + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Syracuse leads in median household income at $45,845, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Syracuse has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hartford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.4%.
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