New Haven CT 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)
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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
New Haven
132,893
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Haven
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
New Haven
31.9
Syracuse
31.9
Tie
Foreign Born
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
New Haven
36.8%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Syracuse
27.6%
Asian
New Haven
5.2%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
New Haven
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,893 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 31.9 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 17.7% | 12.1% | New Haven + |
| White | 36.8% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 30.6% | 27.6% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 31.2% | 10.3% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Haven
$53,771
New Haven +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
New Haven
$34,482
New Haven +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Syracuse
$77,425
Unemployment Rate
New Haven
7.7%
Syracuse
7.4%
Syracuse +
Poverty Rate
New Haven
25.0%
New Haven +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,771 | $45,845 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,482 | $27,570 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $77,425 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 7.4% | Syracuse + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 29.6% | New Haven + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 30.5% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Haven
$330,564
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
New Haven
28.4%
Syracuse
41.3%
Syracuse +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $330,564 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.4% | 41.3% | Syracuse + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
Syracuse
1736
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 434 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1736 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
37.9%
New Haven +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Haven
18.9%
New Haven +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.7%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 41.5% | New Haven + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.7% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 20.8% | New Haven + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.3% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 16.1% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
52.2°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
47.1 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.2°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.1 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Haven
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Haven
23.0 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Haven leads in median household income at $53,771, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Syracuse has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Haven scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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