San Bernardino 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)

San Bernardino, CA

California · Population: 221,774

  • Median HH Income$63,988
  • Median Home Price$492,059
  • Unemployment6.5%
  • Bachelor's+12.8%

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
San Bernardino
221,774
San Bernardino +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Bernardino
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
San Bernardino
31.9
Syracuse
31.9
Tie
Foreign Born
San Bernardino
22.9%
San Bernardino +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
San Bernardino
27.6%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
San Bernardino
11.8%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
San Bernardino
4.1%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
San Bernardino
N/A
Syracuse
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
San Bernardino
$63,988
San Bernardino +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
San Bernardino
$23,980
Syracuse
$27,570
Syracuse +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Bernardino
$77,230
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
San Bernardino
6.5%
San Bernardino +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
San Bernardino
19.5%
San Bernardino +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Bernardino
12.8%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Bernardino
$492,059
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
San Bernardino
48.5%
San Bernardino +
Syracuse
41.3%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
503
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
2388
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
37.1%
San Bernardino +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
13.6%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Bernardino
20.0%
San Bernardino +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
20.2%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.2%
San Bernardino +
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.1%
San Bernardino +
Syracuse
16.1%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Bernardino
N/A
Syracuse
49.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Bernardino
N/A
Syracuse
41.5 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
San Bernardino +
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Bernardino
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Bernardino
30.7 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +

Which City is Right for You?

San Bernardino leads in median household income at $63,988, 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 San Bernardino. San Bernardino has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and San Bernardino has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Bernardino scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.

Compare More Cities

About San Bernardino & Syracuse