Surprise 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)
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
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
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Surprise
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Surprise
41.6
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Surprise
6.8%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Surprise
4.8%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Surprise
2.6%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Surprise
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 146,211 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.6 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 75.0% | 51.9% | Surprise + |
| Black | 4.8% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 19.2% | 10.3% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Surprise
$59,120
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,371 | $45,845 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,604 | $27,570 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 7.4% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.8% | 29.6% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.0% | 30.5% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Surprise
$422,520
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,520 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.0% | 41.3% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Surprise
450
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Surprise
2150
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Surprise, 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
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Surprise
10.5%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.4% | 41.5% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.7% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 20.8% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.3% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 16.1% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Surprise
N/A
Syracuse
49.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Surprise
N/A
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | 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.)
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Surprise
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Surprise
32.8 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.8 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, 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 Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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