Provo UT 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)
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
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
Provo
114,303
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Provo
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Syracuse
31.9
Foreign Born
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Provo
1.1%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Provo
2.2%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Provo
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 23.7 | 31.9 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 12.1% | Provo + |
| White | 78.6% | 51.9% | Provo + |
| Black | 1.1% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 10.3% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Provo
$62,800
Provo +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Provo
$26,755
Syracuse
$27,570
Syracuse +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Provo
$60,713
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Provo
22.3%
Provo +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,800 | $45,845 | Provo + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,755 | $27,570 | Syracuse + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 7.4% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.3% | 29.6% | Provo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.0% | 30.5% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Provo
$486,127
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Provo
39.9%
Syracuse
41.3%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $486,127 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.9% | 41.3% | Syracuse + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
245
Provo +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
1931
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 434 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Provo
21.5%
Syracuse
20.8%
Syracuse +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Provo
12.6%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 41.5% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 12.7% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 20.8% | Syracuse + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 15.3% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.0% | 16.1% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
53.4°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Provo, UT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.8 in | 41.5 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Provo
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Provo, UT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Provo
20.1 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Provo leads in median household income at $62,800, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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