Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Houston
35.5%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Syracuse
6.8%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 146,211 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 12.1% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 22.9% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 6.8% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 10.3% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $45,845 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $27,570 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 7.4% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 29.6% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 30.5% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Houston +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 41.3% | Houston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 434 | Syracuse + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 41.5% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 20.8% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 16.1% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Syracuse
49.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Syracuse + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, 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 442 in Houston. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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