Los Angeles CA 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)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Syracuse
6.8%
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 146,211 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 12.1% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 37.3% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 8.5% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 6.8% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 10.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
Syracuse
7.4%
Syracuse +
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Los Angeles +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Los Angeles +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $45,845 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $27,570 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 7.4% | Syracuse + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 29.6% | Los Angeles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 30.5% | Los Angeles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
Syracuse
41.3%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 41.3% | Syracuse + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | Syracuse + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 41.5% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.7% | Los Angeles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 20.8% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.1% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 41.5 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Los Angeles +
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Los Angeles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Los Angeles
33.8 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, 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 503 in Los Angeles. Syracuse has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Los Angeles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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