Syracuse NY vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Syracuse
146,211
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Syracuse
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
Syracuse
12.1%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Syracuse
51.9%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Syracuse
10.3%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Syracuse
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,211 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.6 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 51.9% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 27.6% | 5.0% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 6.8% | 3.1% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Syracuse
$45,845
Tucson
$54,546
Tucson +
Per Capita Income
Syracuse
$27,570
Tucson
$31,152
Tucson +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Syracuse
7.4%
Tucson
6.4%
Tucson +
Poverty Rate
Syracuse
29.6%
Tucson
18.8%
Tucson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,845 | $54,546 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,570 | $31,152 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $59,120 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 6.4% | Tucson + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.6% | 18.8% | Tucson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.5% | 30.2% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Syracuse
41.3%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $215,134 | $324,946 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.3% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tucson, 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%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
12.7%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Syracuse
20.8%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
15.3%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
16.1%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 15.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
41.5 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 69.8°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Syracuse
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.3 min | 23.9 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tucson leads in median household income at $54,546, 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 Tucson. Tucson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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