Syracuse NY vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Syracuse
146,211
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Syracuse
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Syracuse
12.1%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Syracuse
51.9%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Syracuse
6.8%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Syracuse
10.3%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Syracuse
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,211 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.1 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 51.9% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 27.6% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 6.8% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Syracuse
$45,845
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Syracuse
$27,570
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Syracuse
$77,425
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Syracuse
7.4%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Syracuse
29.6%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Syracuse
30.5%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,845 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,570 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.6% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.5% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Syracuse
41.3%
Worcester
42.4%
Worcester +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $215,134 | $435,532 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.3% | 42.4% | Worcester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
434
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
1736
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
41.5%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
12.7%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Syracuse
20.8%
Worcester
19.9%
Worcester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
9.7%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
16.1%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 19.9% | Worcester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.1% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
49.0°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 48.1 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Syracuse
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.3 min | 27.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Worcester has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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