New York 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
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 York
8,516,202
New York +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New York
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
New York
38.0
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
New York
36.5%
New York +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
New York
35.9%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
New York
22.7%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
New York
14.6%
New York +
Syracuse
6.8%
Hispanic
New York
28.4%
New York +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
New York
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 146,211 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 36.5% | 12.1% | New York + |
| White | 35.9% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 22.7% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 14.6% | 6.8% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 28.4% | 10.3% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New York
$79,713
New York +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
New York
$50,776
New York +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New York
$77,425
Syracuse
$77,425
Tie
Unemployment Rate
New York
7.7%
Syracuse
7.4%
Syracuse +
Poverty Rate
New York
17.4%
New York +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
New York
41.0%
New York +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | New York, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,713 | $45,845 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,776 | $27,570 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,425 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 7.4% | Syracuse + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 29.6% | New York + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.0% | 30.5% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New York
$816,078
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
New York
32.8%
Syracuse
41.3%
Syracuse +
| Metric | New York, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $816,078 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 32.8% | 41.3% | Syracuse + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
434
Syracuse
434
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
1736
Syracuse
1736
Tie
| Metric | New York, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 434 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1736 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
25.1%
New York +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
11.9%
New York +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New York
15.4%
New York +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New York
10.6%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New York
16.9%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New York
11.4%
New York +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | New York, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.1% | 41.5% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.7% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 20.8% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 16.1% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
55.4°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
46.6 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | New York, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.4°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New York
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New York, NY | 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
New York
44.2 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | New York, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.2 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, 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 York. 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 York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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