Minneapolis MN 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)
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
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
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Minneapolis
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Minneapolis
33.0
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Minneapolis
18.3%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Minneapolis
5.2%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Minneapolis
10.5%
Minneapolis +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Minneapolis
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 146,211 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 12.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 61.6% | 51.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 18.3% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 10.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Minneapolis
$69,467
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Minneapolis
16.4%
Minneapolis +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,269 | $45,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,605 | $27,570 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 29.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.4% | 30.5% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Minneapolis
$334,719
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Minneapolis
48.0%
Minneapolis +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $334,719 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.0% | 41.3% | Minneapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
1992
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 434 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
9.9%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
19.8%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 41.5% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 20.8% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 16.1% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Syracuse
49.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 49.0°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 41.5 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Minneapolis
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Minneapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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