Syracuse NY vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Syracuse
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Syracuse
31.9
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
Waco
9.8%
White
Syracuse
51.9%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Syracuse
10.3%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Syracuse
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,211 | 141,925 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 9.8% | Syracuse + |
| White | 51.9% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 27.6% | 20.4% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 6.8% | 2.0% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Syracuse
$45,845
Waco
$51,468
Waco +
Per Capita Income
Syracuse
$27,570
Waco
$28,819
Waco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Syracuse
7.4%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Syracuse
29.6%
Waco
24.0%
Waco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,845 | $51,468 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,570 | $28,819 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $63,758 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.6% | 24.0% | Waco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.5% | 28.6% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Syracuse
$215,134
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Syracuse
41.3%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $215,134 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.3% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 442 | Syracuse + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2339 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
41.5%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Syracuse
20.8%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
16.1%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.0% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 20.4% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.2% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
41.5 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 66.6°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Syracuse + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
Waco
19.7 min
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.3 min | 19.7 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waco leads in median household income at $51,468, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Syracuse is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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