Spokane 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)
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
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
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Spokane
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Spokane
37.2
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Spokane
6.1%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Spokane
2.7%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Spokane
2.9%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Spokane
7.8%
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Spanish at Home
Spokane
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,228 | 146,211 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 81.0% | 51.9% | Spokane + |
| Black | 2.7% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 7.8% | 10.3% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Spokane
$76,120
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,745 | $45,845 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,200 | $27,570 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.4% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 29.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 30.5% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Spokane
$400,636
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $400,636 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 41.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
3409
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 434 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Syracuse
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Spokane
17.5%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 41.5% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 20.8% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.7% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 16.1% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Syracuse
49.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1°F | 49.0°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.1 in | 41.5 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Spokane
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Spokane
22.6 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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