Pittsburgh 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)
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
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
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pittsburgh
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Pittsburgh
33.5
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Spanish at Home
Pittsburgh
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | 146,211 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 9.3% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 63.7% | 51.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 22.5% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 4.2% | 10.3% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Pittsburgh +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,137 | $45,845 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,590 | $27,570 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.4% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 29.6% | Pittsburgh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.8% | 30.5% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Pittsburgh +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $240,538 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 41.3% | Pittsburgh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
Syracuse
1736
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 434 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1736 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pittsburgh
N/A
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Syracuse
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.3 in | 41.5 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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