Manchester NH 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)
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Manchester
115,415
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Manchester
5.3%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | 12.1% | Manchester + |
| White | 76.7% | 51.9% | Manchester + |
| Black | 5.3% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | 10.3% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | $45,845 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | $27,570 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 7.4% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | 29.6% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 30.5% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | 41.3% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
Syracuse
1736
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 434 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 1736 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | 41.5% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.7% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 20.8% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.1% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.6 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Manchester
25.7 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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