Syracuse NY vs Visalia 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%
Visalia, CA
California · Population: 135,983
- Median HH Income$70,663
- Median Home Price$397,983
- Unemployment11.6%
- Bachelor's+12.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Visalia
135,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Syracuse
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Visalia
32.0
Foreign Born
Syracuse
12.1%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Visalia
17.1%
Asian
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Visalia
4.4%
Hispanic
Syracuse
10.3%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Syracuse
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,211 | 135,983 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 32.0 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 51.9% | 36.5% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 27.6% | 17.1% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 6.8% | 4.4% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Syracuse
$45,845
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Per Capita Income
Syracuse
$27,570
Syracuse +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Visalia
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Syracuse
7.4%
Syracuse +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Syracuse
29.6%
Visalia
20.0%
Visalia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,845 | $70,663 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,570 | $26,955 | Syracuse + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 11.6% | Syracuse + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.6% | 20.0% | Visalia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.5% | 12.4% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Visalia
$397,983
Homeownership Rate
Syracuse
41.3%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $215,134 | $397,983 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.3% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
Visalia
2388
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Visalia, 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%
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
12.7%
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Syracuse
20.8%
Visalia
17.9%
Visalia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
16.1%
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 32.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.2% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 17.9% | Visalia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 13.0% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.8% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.0% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
41.5 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 63.3°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Syracuse
75.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.3 min | 41.6 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, 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 Visalia. Syracuse has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Visalia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Visalia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
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