Seattle WA 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)
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
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
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Seattle
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Seattle
35.5
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Seattle
6.6%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Syracuse
6.8%
Hispanic
Seattle
8.2%
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Spanish at Home
Seattle
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 146,211 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 12.1% | Seattle + |
| White | 61.8% | 51.9% | Seattle + |
| Black | 6.6% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 17.2% | 6.8% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 8.2% | 10.3% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Seattle
$76,120
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $121,984 | $45,845 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $82,508 | $27,570 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 7.4% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 29.6% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 67.5% | 30.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Seattle
$871,599
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Seattle
44.3%
Seattle +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $871,599 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 41.3% | Seattle + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Seattle
3409
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 434 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Syracuse
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Seattle
19.0%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 41.5% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 12.7% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.3% | 20.8% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 9.7% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 16.1% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Seattle
52.6°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.6°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.5 in | 41.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Seattle
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Seattle
28.8 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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