Sacramento 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)
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
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
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sacramento
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Sacramento
35.7
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Sacramento
36.8%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Sacramento
12.4%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Syracuse
6.8%
Hispanic
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Sacramento
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | 146,211 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 12.1% | Sacramento + |
| White | 36.8% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 12.4% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 6.8% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 29.5% | 10.3% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sacramento
$77,230
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Sacramento
6.2%
Sacramento +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,753 | $45,845 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,300 | $27,570 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 7.4% | Sacramento + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 29.6% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 30.5% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sacramento
$480,548
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Sacramento
51.5%
Sacramento +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $480,548 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 41.3% | Sacramento + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sacramento
503
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sacramento
2388
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Sacramento, 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
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sacramento
17.9%
Sacramento +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
10.0%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 41.5% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.7% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 20.8% | Sacramento + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.3% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.1% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sacramento
61.0°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.5 in | 41.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sacramento
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sacramento
27.0 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, 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 Sacramento. Sacramento has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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