Rochester NY 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)
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
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
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Rochester
41.5%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Syracuse
27.6%
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 146,211 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 41.5% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 37.5% | 27.6% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 10.3% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
Rochester +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
Rochester +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Syracuse
$77,425
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
Syracuse
7.4%
Syracuse +
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
Rochester +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | $45,845 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | $27,570 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,425 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 7.4% | Syracuse + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | 29.6% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
Syracuse
41.3%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 41.3% | Syracuse + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Syracuse
434
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Syracuse
1736
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 434 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1736 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
Syracuse
16.1%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 41.5% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.8% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 16.1% | Syracuse + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Syracuse
49.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | 49.0°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 in | 41.5 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
20.6 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $46,628, 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 434 in Rochester. Syracuse has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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