Moving from Billings, MT to Syracuse, NY
A 1929 mi cross-country move between Billings and Syracuse is 34h 47m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 9 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1929 mi · 34h 47m by car · NY → PA → OH → IN → IL → WI → MN → ND → MT
Distance & route
| Route through | NY → PA → OH → IN → IL → WI → MN → ND → MT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 90, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Rochester, Buffalo, Cleveland, Akron, Toledo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Billings | Syracuse | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.526 | 95.742 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.437 | 133.405 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.006 | 99.693 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.364 | 80.656 | 100.0 |
Billings and Syracuse sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $392,209 in Billings to $210,251 in Syracuse, a 2.4% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Billings +1.8%, Syracuse +5.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Billings | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 82°F |
| Annual snowfall | 57.4" | 127.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.3" | 39.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 48.2°F vs 48.5°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Syracuse sees 127.8 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BILLINGS LOGAN INTL AP, MT US, SYRACUSE HANCOCK INTL AP, NY US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Billings | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 146,211 |
| Median household income | $71,855 | $45,845 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 31.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 17.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.47 |
Syracuse households earn about 2.4% less than Billings at the median — $71,855 → $45,845 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Syracuse MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 40,010 | $45,230 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 25,810 | $42,170 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 25,460 | $35,690 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 25,240 | $65,780 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 23,760 | $34,050 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Montana and New York
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New York's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin — check 511wi.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms — check MnDOT 511.
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms — check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Syracuse averages 127.8 in annually vs 57.4 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in New York after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Billings vs Syracuse?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $45,845 in Syracuse vs $71,855 in Billings — a 36.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Syracuse more expensive than Billings?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Syracuse is 2.4% higher than Billings (95.742 vs 93.526, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Billings to Syracuse?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1929 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Syracuse compared to Billings?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $210,251 in Syracuse vs $392,209 in Billings — a 46.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Syracuse compare to Billings?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,350 in the Syracuse MSA vs $46,000 in the Billings MSA, on total employment of 294,490 and 89,600 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Billings and Syracuse?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 48.5°F in Syracuse vs 48.2°F in Billings (0.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 127.8 in vs 57.4 in. Annual precipitation: 39.9 in vs 14.3 in.
How far is Syracuse, NY from Billings, MT?
The driving distance is 1929 mi and the route typically takes 34h 47m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Billings.
City profiles: Billings, MT · Syracuse, NY.