Syracuse NY vs Tallahassee FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Syracuse
146,211
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Syracuse
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Syracuse
31.9
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
Tallahassee
8.0%
White
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Syracuse
27.6%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Tallahassee
4.0%
Hispanic
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Syracuse
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,211 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 8.0% | Syracuse + |
| White | 51.9% | 50.7% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 27.6% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 6.8% | 4.0% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 8.6% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Syracuse
$45,845
Tallahassee
$55,931
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Income
Syracuse
$27,570
Tallahassee
$35,704
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Tallahassee
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Syracuse
7.4%
Tallahassee
6.5%
Tallahassee +
Poverty Rate
Syracuse
29.6%
Tallahassee
23.2%
Tallahassee +
Bachelor's Degree+
Syracuse
30.5%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,845 | $55,931 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,570 | $35,704 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $65,328 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 6.5% | Tallahassee + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.6% | 23.2% | Tallahassee + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.5% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Tallahassee
$293,664
Homeownership Rate
Syracuse
41.3%
Syracuse +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $215,134 | $293,664 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.3% | 39.5% | Syracuse + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
434
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
1736
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
41.5%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
12.7%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Syracuse
20.8%
Tallahassee
20.3%
Tallahassee +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
16.1%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 20.3% | Tallahassee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 13.2% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.7% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 67.6°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 58.1 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Syracuse
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
Tallahassee
20.3 min
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.3 min | 20.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tallahassee leads in median household income at $55,931, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Tallahassee has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Syracuse, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Syracuse, NYChicago, IL vs Syracuse, NYHouston, TX vs Syracuse, NYPhoenix, AZ vs Syracuse, NYPhiladelphia, PA vs Syracuse, NY