Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Syracuse
27.6%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 146,211 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 25.0% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 62.9% | 27.6% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 10.3% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Memphis +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Syracuse
7.4%
Syracuse +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Memphis +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $45,845 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $27,570 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 7.4% | Syracuse + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 29.6% | Memphis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Syracuse
$215,134
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Memphis +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $215,134 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 41.3% | Memphis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 434 | Syracuse + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Syracuse
41.5%
Syracuse +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Memphis +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Syracuse
16.1%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 41.5% | Syracuse + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 20.8% | Memphis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.3% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 16.1% | Syracuse + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Memphis leads in median household income at $51,211, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Syracuse is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Syracuse has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Syracuse scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.5%.
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