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Living in
Syracuse.
About
Life in Syracuse
Living in Syracuse means embracing a place that's genuinely affordable while betting on its comeback—median rent hovers around $1,000 a month and home values are a fraction of what you'd pay elsewhere in New York, which attracts young professionals and families looking to stretch their paychecks. The job market has shifted dramatically from its industrial heyday; you're now looking at opportunities centered on higher education, healthcare, research, and increasingly tech, especially with Micron Technology's massive $100 billion chip manufacturing investment coming to the northern suburbs, which could reshape the region's economic future with thousands of jobs. Syracuse University and SUNY Upstate Medical University anchor the economy and culture, giving the city an intellectual vibe and younger demographic that keeps things lively, though the median household income sits around $48,000, so you need to be realistic about earning potential outside those sectors.
Syracuse at a Glance
Population, income, housing and more
Median Age
31.8 yrs
Poverty Rate
28.8%
Foreign-Born
12.7%
Broadband Internet
88.1%
of households
Population Growth
-2.5%
recent change · Census Bureau
Median household income
Demographics12.7% foreign-born, most often from China, excluding Hong Kong and Taiwan
Who lives in Syracuse: race and ethnicity, ages, households, languages and countries of origin
In Syracuse, the largest foreign-born group is from China, excluding Hong Kong and Taiwan (10.3%), and 6.1% of residents speak Spanish at home.
Under 18
20.5%
of residents
65 and Older
14.4%
of residents
Households with Kids
22.8%
anyone under 18
Living Alone
42.6%
of households
Married Couples
23.0%
of households
Avg Household Size
2.14
people
Race & Ethnicity
Hispanic or Latino of any race; other groups are non-Hispanic
Top countries of origin (foreign-born)
Languages Spoken at Home
Cost of Livingrent 36% below NY average
Rent, home values, and income in Syracuse
In Syracuse, rent runs 36% below the NY average, and home values are 67% below the NY average.
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
Rent Burdened
51.8%
spending 30%+ of income on rent
Severely Rent Burdened
32.0%
spending 50%+
Cost of Living Index
95.7
metro area (BEA) · US avg = 100
Median Property Tax
$3,210
per year, owner-occupied homes
Homeowners
41.6%
of occupied homes are owned
Typical Home Built
1948
median year built
Vacant Homes
11.5%
of housing units
Home Value Trend
Latest: $223,201 (September 2026)
Jobs & Economyunemployment about average for NY
Unemployment in Syracuse and typical pay across the metro area
Unemployment in Syracuse is close to the NY average.
Unemployment rate
City-level rate · BLS annual average
Unemployment Rate — 10 Year Trend
City-level (BLS) · Annual averages
What Syracuse Residents Do for Work · share of employed residents by industry
City residents, wherever they work
Median Salary by Occupation · metro area
Syracuse, NY metro area
Commute18 min avg
How Syracuse residents get to work, and the nearest airports
In Syracuse, most residents drive alone to work (59%), and 85% get there in under 30 minutes.
How People Get to Work
Commute Time Distribution
Nearest airports · with airline service
- 5 mi
Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR)
Small hub1.4M passengers boarded in 2025
Straight-line distance. Size is the FAA’s hub category, based on passenger traffic: regional airports may have only a few flights a day.
Safetyviolent crime 86% above national average
Crime rates for 2025
Violent crime in Syracuse runs 86% above the national average.
Violent Crime Rate
612.1
per 100,000 residents
Above average (329 national, 2025)
Property Crime Rate
3,217.5
per 100,000 residents
Above average (1,552 national, 2025)
Syracuse Police Department
Natural DisastersThunderstorm Wind most common — 17 events in 2025
Natural hazard risk, storms and earthquakes
FEMA National Risk Index
Relatively Moderate
91.3 / 100
Compares expected losses from natural hazards, social vulnerability and community resilience against every US county (higher = more risk).
Onondaga County, county-wide · FEMA NRI December 2025
In Onondaga County, which includes Syracuse, the most common type is thunderstorm wind, with 17 recorded events in 2025.
Most common events:
Storm events by year
| Year | Events | Top Type | Property Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 17 | Lake-Effect Snow | $318,750 |
| 2024 | 10 | Thunderstorm Wind | $119,950 |
| 2023 | 8 | Thunderstorm Wind | $156,500 |
| 2022 | 10 | Thunderstorm Wind | $92,750 |
| 2021 | 18 | Thunderstorm Wind | $310,750 |
| 2020 | 8 | Thunderstorm Wind | $70,000 |
| 2019 | 20 | Thunderstorm Wind | $189,000 |
| 2018 | 11 | Heavy Snow | $95,000 |
Property damage is the National Weather Service's estimate filed with each event. “None reported” means the events were logged with $0 damage; “Not estimated” means no estimate was filed. Storms covering several counties aren't counted here, since NOAA doesn't split their damage by county.
2 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5+ within 100 miles in the past year
Onondaga County, county-wide
Air Quality36 median AQI — Good
Days by air quality category (2025)
Air quality in Onondaga County, which includes Syracuse, is typically good — 298 good-air days per year.
Median AQI
36
Good Days
298
per year
Moderate Days
56
per year
Unhealthy Days
0
per year
Onondaga County, county-wide
Climate80°F summers, 19°F winters
30-year climate averages (1991–2020) — monthly temperatures and precipitation
Syracuse has mild summers (avg high 80°F) and very cold winters (avg low 19°F).
Spring (Mar–May)
56°/36°F
avg high / low
Summer (Jun–Aug)
80°/60°F
avg high / low
Fall (Sep–Nov)
61°/43°F
avg high / low
Winter (Dec–Feb)
34°/19°F
avg high / low
Annual Precipitation
43.4"
Annual Snowfall
127.8"
Hot Days/Year
10
days above 90°F
Freeze Days/Year
132
days below 32°F
Rainy Days/Year
174
Average month
Show month-by-month table ↓Hide table ↑
| Month | High | Low | Precip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 32°F | 17°F | 2.58" |
| Feb | 34°F | 18°F | 2.46" |
| Mar | 42°F | 25°F | 3.04" |
| Apr | 56°F | 36°F | 3.48" |
| May | 69°F | 47°F | 3.42" |
| Jun | 77°F | 57°F | 3.56" |
| Jul | 82°F | 62°F | 3.86" |
| Aug | 80°F | 60°F | 3.70" |
| Sep | 73°F | 53°F | 3.38" |
| Oct | 60°F | 42°F | 3.89" |
| Nov | 48°F | 33°F | 3.23" |
| Dec | 37°F | 24°F | 3.28" |
Healthcare5 hospitals, avg 2.5/5
Hospitals, ratings, and health insurance in Syracuse
Syracuse has 5 hospitals, averaging 2.5 out of 5 on CMS's quality rating — below-average care.
Hospitals
5
within city limits
Uninsured
5.0%
of residents
Avg Hospital Rating
2.5 / 5
University Hospital S U N Y Health Science Center
Acute Care Hospitals · ER available
Syracuse VA Medical Center
Acute Care - Veterans Administration · ER available
St Joseph's Hospital Health Center
Acute Care Hospitals · ER available
Crouse Hospital
Acute Care Hospitals · ER available
Adult Health · vs. the typical US place
Share of adults. Modeled estimates, not counted cases. “US” = the typical US place.
Medicare-certified hospitals only. Doesn’t include clinics, urgent care, or freestanding ERs.
Education12.1:1 student/teacher ratio
Schools and degree attainment in Syracuse
Syracuse's student/teacher ratio is 12.1:1 (lower than the national average of 16:1), and 31.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Public Schools
36
within city limits
Private Schools
5
within city limits
College Degree Rate
31.2%
adults 25+ with bachelor's or higher
Student/Teacher Ratio
12.1:1
National avg 16:1
Schools located within city limits (2023) — school-level metrics change slowly year to year
Colleges & Universities in Syracuse
Private nonprofit · 4-year · 15,477 students · in-state tuition $68,429 · 82% graduate · median earnings $85,054 (10 yrs after entry)
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Public · 4-year · 1,839 students · in-state tuition $9,303 · 76% graduate · median earnings $64,530 (10 yrs after entry)
St. Joseph's College of Nursing
Private nonprofit · 2-year · 313 students · in-state tuition $24,440 · 89% graduate · median earnings $92,298 (10 yrs after entry)
Public · 4-year · 159 students · 88% graduate · median earnings $95,243 (10 yrs after entry)
Nearby Colleges (within 15 miles)
Private nonprofit · 4-year · 2,439 students · in-state tuition $41,946 · 73% graduate · median earnings $67,320 (10 yrs after entry)
Degree-granting colleges with 100+ students, placed by campus location (main campuses only — branch campuses are reported under their parent school)
Parks & Recreationclosest: Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, 23 mi
Nearby national parks, recreation areas and public libraries for Syracuse
Syracuse has 3 nearby national parks or recreation areas, closest being Harriet Tubman National Historical Park (23 mi away).
Nearby National Parks & Recreation Areas
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
23 mi awayWomen's Rights National Historical Park
National Historical Park
35 mi awayFort Stanwix National Monument
National Monument
37 mi awayPublic Libraries in Syracuse
Onondaga County Public Library
The Galleries, 447 S. Salina St., Syracuse
Beauchamp Branch Library
2111 South Salina Street, Syracuse
Betts Branch Library
4862 South Salina Street, Syracuse
Hazard Branch Library
1620 West Genesee Street, Syracuse
Mundy Branch Library
1204 South Geddes Street, Syracuse
Northeast Community Center Library
716 Hawley Ave, Syracuse
Paine Branch Library
113 Nichols Avenue, Syracuse
Petit Branch Library
105 Victoria Place, Syracuse
Soule Branch Library
101 Springfield Road, Syracuse
Southwest Community Center Library
401 South Ave, Syracuse
White Branch Library
763 Butternut Street, Syracuse
Cities Near Syracuse
The closest cities within 60 miles
Planning a move to Syracuse?
Read our full moving guide — what it's really like to live here.
Syracuse FAQ
Is Syracuse, New York affordable?⌄
Syracuse's median rent is $1,039/month, which is below the national average, making it relatively affordable. The median household income is $47,819/year. Median home value is $138,400.
Is Syracuse, New York safe?⌄
Syracuse's violent crime rate was 612 per 100,000 residents in 2025, which is significantly above the national average of 329/100k that year. Property crime rate is 3218 per 100,000. As with any city, crime rates vary by neighborhood.
What is the job market like in Syracuse, New York?⌄
Syracuse has an unemployment rate of 4.6%, which is close to the national average of 4.3%.
What is the cost of living in Syracuse, New York?⌄
The cost of living in Syracuse is primarily driven by housing. Median rent is $1,039/month and median household income is $47,819/year. The median home value is $138,400. About 52% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing.
How is the commute in Syracuse, New York?⌄
The average commute in Syracuse is 18 minutes, which is shorter than average compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
Data from the US Census Bureau, BLS, FBI, NOAA, EPA, Zillow Research and other public sources. Where our data comes from