Syracuse NY vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Syracuse
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Syracuse
31.9
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Syracuse
27.6%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Syracuse
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,211 | 107,699 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 4.7% | Syracuse + |
| White | 51.9% | 49.6% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 27.6% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 6.8% | 2.6% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 5.2% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Syracuse
$45,845
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Tuscaloosa +
Per Capita Income
Syracuse
$27,570
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Tuscaloosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Syracuse
7.4%
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poverty Rate
Syracuse
29.6%
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Syracuse
30.5%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,845 | $48,536 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,570 | $31,324 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $51,690 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 7.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.6% | 23.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.5% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Homeownership Rate
Syracuse
41.3%
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $215,134 | $231,461 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.3% | 45.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
434
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
1736
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
41.5%
Syracuse +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
12.7%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Syracuse
20.8%
Syracuse +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
15.3%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
16.1%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 42.6% | Syracuse + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 21.3% | Syracuse + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.5% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 65.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 55.0 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Syracuse
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.3 min | 20.0 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tuscaloosa leads in median household income at $48,536, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Tuscaloosa has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Syracuse scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.5%.
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