Providence RI 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)
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
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
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Providence
40.7%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Providence
13.3%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 146,211 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 12.1% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 13.3% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 10.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Providence +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Providence +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $45,845 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $27,570 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 7.4% | Providence + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 29.6% | Providence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 30.5% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Syracuse
41.3%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 41.3% | Syracuse + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Syracuse
1736
| Metric | Providence, RI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 434 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 1736 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Providence +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 41.5% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.7% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 20.8% | Providence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 16.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Syracuse
49.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Providence, RI | 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.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Providence, RI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Providence has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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