Moving from Buffalo, NY to Syracuse, NY
The 149 mi from Buffalo to Syracuse translate to about 2h 58m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
149 mi · 2h 58m by car · NY
Distance & route
| Route through | NY |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 690, NY 33 |
| Major cities en route | Rochester |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Buffalo | Syracuse | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.844 | 95.742 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 129.489 | 133.405 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.693 | 99.693 | 100.0 |
| Services | 80.989 | 80.656 | 100.0 |
Syracuse and Buffalo are close on the overall BEA RPP (95.844 vs 95.742); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 0.1% lower in Syracuse than Buffalo as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Buffalo +3.8%, Syracuse +5.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Buffalo | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 82°F |
| Annual snowfall | 95.4" | 127.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 39.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 48.8°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: BUFFALO, NY US, SYRACUSE HANCOCK INTL AP, NY US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Buffalo | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 146,211 |
| Median household income | $48,050 | $45,845 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 31.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 17.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.31 | 2.47 |
Household income lines up — $48,050 vs $45,845 on ACS 5-year 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.
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.
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 95.4 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.
Frequently asked
Is Syracuse more expensive than Buffalo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Syracuse is 0.1% lower than Buffalo (95.742 vs 95.844, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Syracuse compare to Buffalo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,350 in the Syracuse MSA vs $48,560 in the Buffalo MSA, on total employment of 294,490 and 526,990 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Syracuse compared to Buffalo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $210,251 in Syracuse vs $238,089 in Buffalo — a 11.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Buffalo vs Syracuse?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $45,845 in Syracuse vs $48,050 in Buffalo — a 4.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Syracuse, NY from Buffalo, NY?
The driving distance is 149 mi and the route typically takes 2h 58m via I 90 and I 690. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Buffalo and Syracuse?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 48.5°F in Syracuse vs 48.8°F in Buffalo (0.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 127.8 in vs 95.4 in. Annual precipitation: 39.9 in vs 40.7 in.
When is the best time to move from Buffalo 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 149 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Buffalo.
City profiles: Buffalo, NY · Syracuse, NY.