Norwalk CA 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)
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Norwalk
100,713
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norwalk
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Norwalk
36.5
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Norwalk
24.0%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Norwalk
4.2%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Syracuse
6.8%
Hispanic
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Norwalk
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,713 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 32.6% | 12.1% | Norwalk + |
| White | 24.0% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 4.2% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 13.8% | 6.8% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 69.5% | 10.3% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Norwalk
$31,989
Norwalk +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norwalk
$77,230
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Norwalk
5.6%
Norwalk +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Norwalk
9.7%
Norwalk +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norwalk
21.3%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,709 | $45,845 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,989 | $27,570 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 7.4% | Norwalk + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 29.6% | Norwalk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norwalk
$765,319
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,319 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.1% | 41.3% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
503
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
2388
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | Syracuse + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
26.9%
Norwalk +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
12.7%
Syracuse
12.7%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norwalk
16.1%
Norwalk +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.4%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.3%
Syracuse
15.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
10.5%
Norwalk +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.9% | 41.5% | Norwalk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.7% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 20.8% | Norwalk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 16.1% | Norwalk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Syracuse
49.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Norwalk +
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norwalk
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Norwalk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norwalk
32.1 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.1 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, 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 503 in Norwalk. Norwalk has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Norwalk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norwalk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.9%.
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