Syracuse NY vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Syracuse
146,211
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Syracuse
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Syracuse
31.9
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Syracuse
12.1%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Syracuse
51.9%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Syracuse
6.8%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Syracuse
10.3%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Syracuse
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,211 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 51.9% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 27.6% | 7.8% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 6.8% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Syracuse
$45,845
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Syracuse
$27,570
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Syracuse
7.4%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Syracuse
29.6%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Syracuse
30.5%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,845 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,570 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $59,120 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.6% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.5% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Syracuse
41.3%
Tempe
41.6%
Tempe +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $215,134 | $468,328 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.3% | 41.6% | Tempe + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 450 | Syracuse + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2150 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
41.5%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
12.7%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Syracuse
20.8%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
16.1%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 10.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 18.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
41.5 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 71.3°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Syracuse
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.3 min | 23.2 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 Tempe. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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