Syracuse NY vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Syracuse
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Syracuse
12.1%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Syracuse
27.6%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Syracuse
10.3%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Syracuse
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,211 | 119,508 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 40.2 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 51.9% | 44.0% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 27.6% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 6.8% | 2.5% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Syracuse
$45,845
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Syracuse
$27,570
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Syracuse
7.4%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Syracuse
29.6%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Syracuse
30.5%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,845 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,570 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $65,328 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.6% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.5% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Syracuse
41.3%
West Palm Beach
50.2%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $215,134 | $399,650 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.3% | 50.2% | West Palm Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
434
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
1736
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
41.5%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Syracuse
20.8%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
15.3%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
16.1%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 16.9% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 75.4°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 62.3 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Syracuse
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.3 min | 25.0 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Syracuse, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Syracuse, NYChicago, IL vs Syracuse, NYHouston, TX vs Syracuse, NYPhoenix, AZ vs Syracuse, NYPhiladelphia, PA vs Syracuse, NY