Syracuse NY vs Vallejo CA — 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%
Vallejo, CA
California · Population: 68,141
- Median HH Income$137,194
- Median Home Price$523,551
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Vallejo
68,141
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Syracuse
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Median Age
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Vallejo
42.1
Foreign Born
Syracuse
12.1%
Vallejo
46.9%
Vallejo +
White
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Vallejo
17.9%
Black
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Vallejo
5.3%
Asian
Syracuse
6.8%
Vallejo
55.9%
Vallejo +
Hispanic
Syracuse
10.3%
Vallejo
19.3%
Vallejo +
Spanish at Home
Syracuse
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,211 | 68,141 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 42.1 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 46.9% | Vallejo + |
| White | 51.9% | 17.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 27.6% | 5.3% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 6.8% | 55.9% | Vallejo + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 19.3% | Vallejo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Syracuse
$45,845
Vallejo
$137,194
Vallejo +
Per Capita Income
Syracuse
$27,570
Vallejo
$56,020
Vallejo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Vallejo
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Syracuse
7.4%
Vallejo
5.0%
Vallejo +
Poverty Rate
Syracuse
29.6%
Vallejo
7.0%
Vallejo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Syracuse
30.5%
Vallejo
45.3%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,845 | $137,194 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,570 | $56,020 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.0% | Vallejo + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.6% | 7.0% | Vallejo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.5% | 45.3% | Vallejo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Vallejo
$523,551
Homeownership Rate
Syracuse
41.3%
Vallejo
67.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $215,134 | $523,551 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.3% | 67.0% | Vallejo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Vallejo
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
Vallejo
2388
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 503 | Syracuse + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2388 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
41.5%
Vallejo
31.6%
Vallejo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Vallejo
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Syracuse
20.8%
Vallejo
16.9%
Vallejo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
9.7%
Vallejo
9.6%
Vallejo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
15.3%
Vallejo
13.8%
Vallejo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
16.1%
Vallejo
12.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 31.6% | Vallejo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.3% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 16.9% | Vallejo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.6% | Vallejo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.8% | Vallejo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.0% | Vallejo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
49.0°F
Vallejo
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
41.5 in
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Vallejo
7.9 µg/m³
Vallejo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Syracuse
75.0%
Vallejo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Vallejo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
Vallejo
36.0 min
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.3 min | 36.0 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vallejo leads in median household income at $137,194, 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 503 in Vallejo. Vallejo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Vallejo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vallejo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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