Miami FL 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)
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
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
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Miami
39.7
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Miami
34.2%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Miami
13.7%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Miami
1.6%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Miami
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Miami, FL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 446,663 | 146,211 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 57.7% | 12.1% | Miami + |
| White | 34.2% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 13.7% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 71.2% | 10.3% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami
$59,390
Miami +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami
$65,328
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Miami
5.0%
Miami +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Miami
19.2%
Miami +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami
35.6%
Miami +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Miami, FL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,390 | $45,845 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,528 | $27,570 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 7.4% | Miami + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 29.6% | Miami + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.6% | 30.5% | Miami + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami
$580,996
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Miami
30.7%
Syracuse
41.3%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,996 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 30.7% | 41.3% | Syracuse + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
324
Miami +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
1453
Miami +
Syracuse
1736
| Metric | Miami, FL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 434 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1736 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.5%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami
27.2%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.3%
Syracuse
15.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami
12.3%
Miami +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Miami, FL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.9% | 41.5% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 20.8% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 16.1% | Miami + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
75.8°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
64.1 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.8°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Miami, FL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami
29.9 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.9 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami leads in median household income at $59,390, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Miami has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
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