Richmond 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)
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
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
Richmond
115,396
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
37.6
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Richmond
21.4%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Richmond
17.3%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Syracuse
6.8%
Hispanic
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 34.5% | 12.1% | Richmond + |
| White | 21.4% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 17.3% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 6.8% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 46.9% | 10.3% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$90,038
Richmond +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$41,898
Richmond +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$77,230
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
7.0%
Richmond +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Richmond
13.7%
Richmond +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
32.6%
Richmond +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $45,845 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,898 | $27,570 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 7.4% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 29.6% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 30.5% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$608,357
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
52.5%
Richmond +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $608,357 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 41.3% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
503
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
2388
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Richmond, 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
Richmond
32.9%
Richmond +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.9%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
17.8%
Richmond +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
11.9%
Richmond +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 41.5% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 20.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.3% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.1% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.5°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
24.9 in
Richmond +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.5°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 24.9 in | 41.5 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Richmond +
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
37.7 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 37.7 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $90,038, 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 Richmond. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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