Syracuse NY vs Waterbury CT — 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%
Waterbury, CT
Connecticut · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$280,921
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Syracuse
146,211
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Syracuse
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Syracuse
31.9
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Syracuse
12.1%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Syracuse
51.9%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Syracuse
27.6%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Syracuse
6.8%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Syracuse
10.3%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Syracuse
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,211 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | N/A | - |
| White | 51.9% | N/A | - |
| Black | 27.6% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 6.8% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Syracuse
$45,845
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Syracuse
$27,570
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Syracuse
$77,425
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Syracuse
7.4%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Syracuse
29.6%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Syracuse
30.5%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,845 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $27,570 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 29.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Waterbury
$280,921
Homeownership Rate
Syracuse
41.3%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $215,134 | $280,921 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.3% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
434
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
1736
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 156 | Waterbury + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1524 | Waterbury + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
41.5%
Waterbury
40.5%
Waterbury +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Syracuse
20.8%
Waterbury
19.1%
Waterbury +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
15.3%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
16.1%
Syracuse +
Waterbury
16.2%
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 40.5% | Waterbury + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.1% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 19.1% | Waterbury + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 18.5% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.2% | Syracuse + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
49.0°F
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
41.5 in
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Waterbury, CT | 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
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Waterbury +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Syracuse
75.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Waterbury + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Syracuse
19.3 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.3 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Waterbury is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Waterbury has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waterbury scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.5%.
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