Syracuse NY vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Syracuse
146,211
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Syracuse
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Syracuse
12.1%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Syracuse
27.6%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Syracuse
10.3%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Syracuse
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,211 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 51.9% | 39.1% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 27.6% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 6.8% | 4.1% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Syracuse
$45,845
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Syracuse
$27,570
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Syracuse
$77,425
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Syracuse
7.4%
Washington
6.5%
Washington +
Poverty Rate
Syracuse
29.6%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Syracuse
30.5%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,845 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,570 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 6.5% | Washington + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.6% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.5% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Syracuse
41.3%
Syracuse +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $215,134 | $580,173 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.3% | 41.1% | Syracuse + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
434
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1999 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
41.5%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
12.7%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Syracuse
20.8%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
9.7%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
16.1%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 24.0% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
49.0°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
41.5 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Syracuse
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.3 min | 32.8 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Washington has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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