Syracuse NY vs Tampa 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Syracuse
146,211
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Syracuse
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
Syracuse
12.1%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Tampa
21.3%
Asian
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Tampa
4.8%
Hispanic
Syracuse
10.3%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Syracuse
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,211 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.6 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 51.9% | 51.8% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 27.6% | 21.3% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 6.8% | 4.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Syracuse
$45,845
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Syracuse
$27,570
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Tampa
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Syracuse
7.4%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Syracuse
29.6%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Syracuse
30.5%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,845 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,570 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $65,328 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.6% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.5% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Syracuse
41.3%
Tampa
50.2%
Tampa +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $215,134 | $376,530 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.3% | 50.2% | Tampa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
434
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
1736
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
41.5%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
12.7%
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Syracuse
20.8%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
16.1%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.5% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 15.9% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.7% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 73.4°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 46.3 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Syracuse
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.3 min | 26.8 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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