Philadelphia PA 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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Syracuse
27.6%
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Syracuse
6.8%
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 146,211 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 12.1% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 36.1% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 39.9% | 27.6% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 6.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 10.3% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
Syracuse
7.4%
Syracuse +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Philadelphia +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $45,845 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $27,570 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 7.4% | Syracuse + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 29.6% | Philadelphia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 30.5% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 41.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
Syracuse
1736
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 434 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1736 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Syracuse
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Syracuse + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
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