Syracuse NY vs Winston-Salem 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Syracuse
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Syracuse
51.9%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Syracuse
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,211 | 118,578 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.5 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 5.7% | Syracuse + |
| White | 51.9% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 27.6% | 14.9% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 6.8% | 1.3% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 8.9% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Syracuse
$45,845
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Syracuse
$27,570
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Syracuse
7.4%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Syracuse
29.6%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Syracuse
30.5%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,845 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,570 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $59,120 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.6% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.5% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
Syracuse
41.3%
Winston-Salem
46.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $215,134 | $265,013 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.3% | 46.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
434
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1999 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
41.5%
Syracuse +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Syracuse
20.8%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
15.3%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
16.1%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 42.7% | Syracuse + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.1% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.8% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
49.0°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
41.5 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Winston-Salem, NC | 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 +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Syracuse
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Winston-Salem, 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 +
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.3 min | 20.0 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Syracuse scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.5%.
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