Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Syracuse, NY
VS
Tacoma, WA
🏆 Tacoma leads 12 of 23 categories
Syracuse
New York
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.2 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$43,584
Violent Crime Index
201⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
146,134
Tacoma
Washington
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$79,085 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
280⚠ High
Population
219,234 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Syracuse, NY
Pros
Homes cost $297k less ($117,900 vs $415,300)
Rent averages $557/mo less ($932 vs $1,489)
28% less violent crime than Tacoma
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
18% cheaper overall cost of living than Tacoma
Smaller class sizes — 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Tacoma by $35,501/yr
Violent crime (765.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4234.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.6% vs 5.4%)
Tacoma, WA
Pros
Households earn $35,501 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.2 pts lower (5.4%)
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 32°F
More college-educated — 32.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $415,300
Higher rents — median is $1,489/mo
Violent crime (1063.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 18% higher than Syracuse
Key Differences at a Glance
Syracuse
Cost of Living
18% cheaper
COL index 95.2 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Syracuse
Violent Crime
28% lower
765.3 vs 1063.0 per 100k
Syracuse
Median Home Value
$297k less
$117,900 vs $415,300
Syracuse
Summer Heat
4.9°F warmer
July avg high 81.7°F vs 76.8°F
Tacoma
Median Income
$35,501
$79,085 vs $43,584/yr
Tacoma
Unemployment
3.2 pp lower
5.4% vs 8.6% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tacoma, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 95.2 ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $117,900 ✓ Lower | $415,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $932 ✓ Lower | $1,489⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $43,584 | $79,085 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6%⚠ High | 5.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.6 min ✓ Shorter | 29.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 9.3% | 12.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 201⚠ High ✓ Safer | 275⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 201⚠ High ✓ Safer | 280⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 202⚠ High ✓ Safer | 267⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (98) ✓ Better | B- (91) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 10.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 29.7% | 32.8% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 84.5% | 90.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SYRACUSE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | Tacoma School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F | 48.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.7°F ✓ Warmer | 76.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 43.4" | 40.8" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 127.8" | 5.6" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 146,134 | 219,234 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 36.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.8% | 56.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.0% ✓ More | 19.7% |
| Over 65 | 13.3% | 14.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Syracuse's cost of living index is 95.2 vs Tacoma's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Syracuse is 18% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Tacoma leads 12 of 23 categories. Syracuse wins 11 and Tacoma wins 12. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Syracuse to Tacoma or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($117,900 vs $415,300 median home), income ($43,584 vs $79,085), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Syracuse, NY and Tacoma, WA are about 2,242 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.