Syracuse NY vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Syracuse
146,211
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Syracuse
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Syracuse
51.9%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
Syracuse
6.8%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Syracuse
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,211 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.4 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 9.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 51.9% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 27.6% | 18.9% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 6.8% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 8.9% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Syracuse
$45,845
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Syracuse
$27,570
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Syracuse
7.4%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Syracuse
29.6%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Syracuse
30.5%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,845 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,570 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $69,581 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.6% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.5% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Syracuse
41.3%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $215,134 | $427,121 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.3% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
434
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
1736
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
41.5%
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Virginia Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
12.7%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Syracuse
20.8%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
9.7%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
16.1%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 36.5% | Virginia Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.6% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
49.0°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
41.5 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Syracuse +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Syracuse
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.3 min | 25.0 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Virginia Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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