Newark NJ 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)
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
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
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Newark
16.5%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Syracuse
27.6%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 146,211 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 12.1% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 46.7% | 27.6% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 10.3% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Newark +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Syracuse
$27,570
Syracuse +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Syracuse
7.4%
Syracuse +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Newark +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $45,845 | Newark + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $27,570 | Syracuse + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 7.4% | Syracuse + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 29.6% | Newark + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Syracuse
41.3%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 41.3% | Syracuse + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Syracuse
1736
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 434 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1736 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Newark +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Syracuse
16.1%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 41.5% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 20.8% | Newark + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 16.1% | Syracuse + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newark leads in median household income at $48,416, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. 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, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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