Stamford CT 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)
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Stamford
135,806
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Stamford
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Stamford
38.2
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Stamford
49.1%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Stamford
19.9%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Syracuse
6.8%
Hispanic
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Stamford
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,806 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 31.8% | 12.1% | Stamford + |
| White | 49.1% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 19.9% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 6.8% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 28.1% | 10.3% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Syracuse
$77,425
Unemployment Rate
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,474 | $45,845 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,382 | $27,570 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $77,425 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.4% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 29.6% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 30.5% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Stamford
$708,498
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Stamford
47.5%
Stamford +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $708,498 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 41.3% | Stamford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
Syracuse
1736
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 434 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1736 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Stamford
12.3%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Stamford
16.4%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.5% | 41.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 12.7% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 20.8% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 16.1% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stamford
52.3°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stamford
53.2 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.3°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Stamford
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Stamford
30.1 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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