Indianapolis IN 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)
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
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
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Syracuse
27.6%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 146,211 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 53.6% | 51.9% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 28.1% | 27.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 10.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $45,845 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $27,570 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 7.4% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 29.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 30.5% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 41.3% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Syracuse
1736
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 434 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1736 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Syracuse
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Syracuse
49.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Syracuse + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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