Syracuse NY vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Syracuse
146,211
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Syracuse
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Syracuse
27.6%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Syracuse
10.3%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Syracuse
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,211 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.6 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 10.7% | Syracuse + |
| White | 51.9% | 48.7% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 27.6% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 6.8% | 2.3% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Syracuse
$45,845
Wilmington
$57,673
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Syracuse
$27,570
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Syracuse
7.4%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Syracuse
29.6%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Syracuse
30.5%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,845 | $57,673 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,570 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $59,120 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.6% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.5% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Syracuse
41.3%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $215,134 | $419,326 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.3% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
434
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1999 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
41.5%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
12.7%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Syracuse
20.8%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
9.7%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
16.1%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.5% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 63.8°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 58.4 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Syracuse
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.3 min | 23.2 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $57,673, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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