Springfield MA 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)
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
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
Springfield
154,751
Springfield +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
33.7
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Springfield
10.2%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Springfield
40.8%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Springfield
20.0%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Springfield
2.8%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,751 | 146,211 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 40.8% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 20.0% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 47.4% | 10.3% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$51,339
Springfield +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$27,054
Syracuse
$27,570
Syracuse +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Syracuse
$77,425
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
8.2%
Syracuse
7.4%
Syracuse +
Poverty Rate
Springfield
25.3%
Springfield +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
19.7%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,339 | $45,845 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,054 | $27,570 | Syracuse + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,425 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 7.4% | Syracuse + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.3% | 29.6% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.7% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$298,985
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
49.5%
Springfield +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $298,985 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.5% | 41.3% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
Syracuse
1736
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 434 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1736 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
39.6%
Springfield +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
14.8%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
21.1%
Syracuse
20.8%
Syracuse +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
13.7%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
17.5%
Syracuse
16.1%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 41.5% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 20.8% | Syracuse + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.3% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 16.1% | Syracuse + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Syracuse
49.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
22.6 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $51,339, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Syracuse has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.
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