Syracuse, NY, known as 'The Salt City,' offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern urban amenities. Located in Onondaga County, Syracuse is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Rochester (87 miles) and Albany (146 miles) enhance its status as a central point in the region. Syracuse's blend of historic landmarks, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Syracuse is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Erie Canal Museum, the historic Landmark Theatre, and the scenic Onondaga Lake Park. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Rosamond Gifford Zoo to the bustling Destiny USA, known for its shopping and dining. Syracuse's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from American cuisine to international dishes.
Annual events such as the Syracuse Jazz Fest and the Great New York State Fair highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Syracuse's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like Syracuse University contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Syracuse is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Everson Museum of Art and the Redhouse Arts Center are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Syracuse provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Syracuse’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Syracuse Orange (NCAA) and the Syracuse Mets (IL), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Syracuse include healthcare, education, and manufacturing, with significant employers such as SUNY Upstate Medical University and Syracuse City School District driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and bike-sharing programs, making commuting convenient for residents.
Amenities
Conveniently located, the area boasts a variety of amenities, including grocery stores, shopping, coffee shops and entertainment options all within walking distance.
Commute
The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.
Cost Of Living
Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.
Housing
Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.
Health & Safety
Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.
Crime
Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.
Employment
This area earns a low score in the employment category due to low household income levels and high unemployment rates, which may pose challenges in seeking job opportunities.
Ratings
Through surveys and polls, AreaVibes obtained feedback from local residents in the area, and the results did not indicate a favorable outlook on factors like local amenities and the safety of the area.
Located in the state of New York, Syracuse is a moderately-sized city with a population of 146,063 inhabitants. In Syracuse, there are 5,836 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. Syracuse is mostly populated by White (53%) and Black or African American (29%) ethnic groups. If you are a young adult or student, you might be pleased to know that the average age of all Syracuse residents is 32. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 34% of the Syracuse population is married. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Syracuse will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 18 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Syracuse could be a positive experience compared to other cities in New York if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. To help you find the best places to live in and around Syracuse, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like crime, cost of living, health & safety, education and more.
The livability score in Syracuse is 77/100 and the city is ranked in the 90th percentile of all cities across America. Based on this score, Syracuse would be considered a very livable city! Another exciting tidbit, is that Syracuse ranks better than 90% of all US cities! There are nine total categories that form the livability score. Syracuse scores well for cost of living (B) and housing (A+) On a more negative note, Syracuse does not have favorable scores for the following: crime (F) and employment (D-). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
Living in Syracuse offers many benefits and offers an extensive array of local amenities. These amenities play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life in this vibrant community. From readily accessible grocery stores to charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and generously spaced parks, Syracuse provides a wide spectrum of resources for its residents. This ensures that your daily requirements are effortlessly met and creates abundant opportunities for leisure and recreation. The abundant local offerings contribute to the area's overall appeal, making it an attractive destination for those seeking convenience, variety and a fulfilling lifestyle. If you're considering a move, the wealth of local amenities continues could be a defining feature of this remarkable locale. A few of the enjoyable things to experience and sights to see are: Rosamond Gifford Zoo, Museum of Science & Technology, and Erie Canal Museum.
A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Syracuse has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Syracuse is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Syracuse come in at $172,841, which is 65.7% lower than the New York average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Syracuse, the home price to income ratio is 3, which is 46.4% lower than the New York average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Syracuse | New York | National |
| Average one way commute | 18min | 33min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 63.4% | 53.0% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.1% | 6.7% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 8.0% | 28.0% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.8% | 0.7% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 10.4% | 6.3% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 6.2% | 4.0% | 4.6% |
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