Syracuse, NY Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions: Syracuse, NY Crime & Safety

Is Syracuse, NY safe in 2026?

Syracuse has a city-wide safety rating of C and an overall crime grade of D+, but that headline number masks significant variation across its 26 analyzed neighborhoods. A full 62% of neighborhoods — 16 out of 26 — earn a combined A or B grade, meaning the majority of Syracuse residents live in areas considered safe. At the top end, Skytop (A+), Sedgwick (A), Strathmore (A-), Far Westside (A-), Meadowbrook (A-), and University Hill (A-) all demonstrate notably lower crime levels. On the other end, Near Eastside, Southwest, and Near Westside each carry a D or D+ grade, and only 12% of neighborhoods fall into the D or F range — with zero neighborhoods earning an F. So while Syracuse does have concentrated pockets of concern, the majority of the city is safer than the overall grade suggests.

What is the crime rate in Syracuse, NY?

Syracuse holds an overall crime grade of D+ for 2026, reflecting elevated crime relative to national benchmarks. Across the 26 neighborhoods analyzed, the grade distribution breaks down as follows: 23.1% earned an A grade (6 neighborhoods), 38.5% earned a B grade (10 neighborhoods), 26.9% earned a C grade (7 neighborhoods), and 11.5% earned a D grade (3 neighborhoods) — with no neighborhood receiving an F. Property crimes, including theft and burglary, represent the most prevalent category citywide, while violent crimes such as assault and robbery are more concentrated in lower-graded areas like Near Eastside (D) and Southwest (D). The city's 30.3% poverty rate and 9.6% unemployment rate are key socioeconomic drivers that correlate with crime concentration in specific corridors, particularly on the near east and west sides.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Syracuse?

Based on 2026 crime data, six Syracuse neighborhoods earned an A-range grade. Skytop leads with an A+, a population of 2,295, and a median household income of $31,140 — demonstrating that safety does not always require high income. Sedgwick (A) is one of the city's more affluent safe zones, with a median income of $93,697 and a population of 2,060. Strathmore (A-) serves a population of 5,648 with a median income of $75,702, while Far Westside (A-) covers 6,323 residents at a median income of $52,877. Meadowbrook (A-) posts the highest median income of any safe neighborhood at $105,717 across 4,983 residents. Notably, University Hill (A-) achieves an A- grade despite a median income of just $16,615 — the lowest among top-rated neighborhoods — largely influenced by its dense student and institutional population of 8,687. Rounding out the top tier, Eastwood (B+) is the most populous safe neighborhood with 13,828 residents and a median income of $56,844, making it one of the most accessible safe options for families.

Which neighborhoods in Syracuse have the highest crime?

Three neighborhoods in Syracuse received a D grade in 2026: Near Eastside, Southwest, and Near Westside. Downtown earned a C- and Near Northeast a C, placing them in a moderate-risk tier. These areas account for the 12% of neighborhoods classified as higher-crime (D or F combined). Compared to top-rated neighborhoods like Sedgwick or Meadowbrook, the lower-graded areas tend to align with the city's broader socioeconomic stress indicators — Syracuse's overall poverty rate stands at 30.3% and unemployment at 9.6%, both significantly above national averages. Property crimes are the dominant incident type in these zones, though violent crime rates are also elevated relative to the city median. Residents and prospective movers are encouraged to consult the interactive Syracuse crime map to review block-level data before making housing decisions in or near these neighborhoods.

Is Syracuse a good place to live?

Syracuse offers a genuinely affordable cost of living — the median home value is $96,329 and median rent is $830/month, both well below national averages — but those figures come alongside real economic challenges. The city's median household income of $38,893, a poverty rate of 30.3%, and an unemployment rate of 9.6% reflect structural pressures that affect quality of life and safety in certain areas. That said, 62% of the city's neighborhoods are graded A or B, and areas like Eastwood (B+, pop. 13,828), Northside (B+, pop. 8,356), and University Hill (A-, pop. 8,687) offer large, relatively safe communities at accessible price points. For families, retirees, or remote workers prioritizing affordability with reasonable safety, neighborhoods such as Strathmore, Far Westside, or Meadowbrook provide strong value. The key is neighborhood selection: Syracuse's crime landscape is highly localized, and using the 2026 crime map to compare specific grades before committing to a location is strongly advisable.

How does Syracuse's crime compare by neighborhood income level?

There is a visible — though not absolute — relationship between neighborhood income and crime grade in Syracuse. Among the six A-rated neighborhoods, median incomes range widely from $16,615 (University Hill) to $105,717 (Meadowbrook), suggesting that income alone does not determine safety. However, the three D-rated neighborhoods — Near Eastside, Southwest, and Near Westside — are located in parts of the city with lower median incomes and higher concentrations of poverty. The city's overall poverty rate of 30.3% is nearly three times the national average, and its population density of 2,196 people per square mile means that higher-crime and lower-crime neighborhoods can sit in close proximity. The B-grade tier (38.5% of neighborhoods) includes diverse communities like South Valley (B+, median income $63,859) and Northside (B+, median income $55,266), demonstrating that mid-income neighborhoods can maintain solid safety profiles. Consulting neighborhood-specific grades on the crime map — rather than relying on citywide averages — gives the most accurate picture.