New Rochelle NY 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 Rochelle, NY

New York · Population: 48,198

  • Median HH Income$48,535
  • Median Home Price$920,484
  • Unemployment9.7%
  • Bachelor's+22.8%

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 Rochelle
48,198
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Rochelle
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
New Rochelle
40.7
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
New Rochelle
4.6%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
New Rochelle
66.1%
New Rochelle +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
New Rochelle
17.8%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
New Rochelle
2.3%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
New Rochelle
8.0%
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Spanish at Home
New Rochelle
N/A
Syracuse
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
New Rochelle
$48,535
New Rochelle +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
New Rochelle
$30,033
New Rochelle +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Rochelle
$77,425
Syracuse
$77,425
Tie
Unemployment Rate
New Rochelle
9.7%
Syracuse
7.4%
Syracuse +
Poverty Rate
New Rochelle
23.7%
New Rochelle +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Rochelle
22.8%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Rochelle
$920,484
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
New Rochelle
57.5%
New Rochelle +
Syracuse
41.3%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
434
Syracuse
434
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
1736
Syracuse
1736
Tie

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
26.6%
New Rochelle +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
10.6%
New Rochelle +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Rochelle
13.8%
New Rochelle +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
9.5%
New Rochelle +
Syracuse
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
14.9%
New Rochelle +
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
9.3%
New Rochelle +
Syracuse
16.1%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Rochelle
N/A
Syracuse
49.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Rochelle
N/A
Syracuse
41.5 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Rochelle
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Rochelle
20.0 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +

Which City is Right for You?

New Rochelle leads in median household income at $48,535, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Syracuse is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in New Rochelle. 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, New Rochelle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.

Compare More Cities

About New Rochelle & Syracuse