Scottsdale AZ 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)
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
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
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Scottsdale
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Scottsdale
49.2
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Scottsdale
11.2%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Scottsdale
2.0%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Scottsdale
5.1%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Scottsdale
9.4%
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Spanish at Home
Scottsdale
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 242,169 | 146,211 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 49.2 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 81.8% | 51.9% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 2.0% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 5.1% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 9.4% | 10.3% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Scottsdale
$59,120
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,372 | $45,845 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $82,697 | $27,570 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 29.6% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 61.5% | 30.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Scottsdale
$858,307
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $858,307 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 67.6% | 41.3% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
450
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
2150
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 434 | Syracuse + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Syracuse
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
15.4%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 41.5% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.7% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.1% | 20.8% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 9.7% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 16.1% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.5°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.3 in | 41.5 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Scottsdale
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, 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 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Scottsdale, AZLos Angeles, CA vs Scottsdale, AZChicago, IL vs Scottsdale, AZHouston, TX vs Scottsdale, AZPhoenix, AZ vs Scottsdale, AZPhiladelphia, PA vs Scottsdale, AZ