Moving from Chicago, IL to Syracuse, NY
Relocating 678 mi from Chicago to Syracuse is a 12h 58m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
678 mi Β· 12h 58m by car Β· IL β IN β OH β PA β NY
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IN β OH β PA β NY |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 80, I 271 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, South Bend, Toledo, Akron, Cleveland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chicago | Syracuse | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 95.742 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 133.405 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 99.693 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 80.656 | 100.0 |
Expect about 7.6% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Syracuse at 95.742 vs Chicago at 103.595.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 7.6% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $317,283 to $210,251 moving to Syracuse.
YoY change: Chicago +2.8%, Syracuse +5.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Chicago | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 127.8" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 39.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Chicago (50.8Β°F) and Syracuse (48.5Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Syracuse averages 127.8 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US, SYRACUSE HANCOCK INTL AP, NY US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chicago | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 146,211 |
| Median household income | $75,134 | $45,845 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 31.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 17.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.47 |
Expect median household income to fall 7.6% β $75,134 β $45,845 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Illinois 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter β check 511NY.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Syracuse averages 127.8 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 much do homes cost in Syracuse compared to Chicago?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $210,251 in Syracuse vs $317,283 in Chicago β a 33.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Syracuse compare to Chicago?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,350 in the Syracuse MSA vs $49,790 in the Chicago MSA, on total employment of 294,490 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Chicago vs Syracuse?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $45,845 in Syracuse vs $75,134 in Chicago β a 39.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Chicago to Syracuse?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 678 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Syracuse more expensive than Chicago?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Syracuse is 7.6% lower than Chicago (95.742 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Syracuse, NY from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance is 678 mi and the route typically takes 12h 58m via I 90 and I 80. The trip crosses 5 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 Chicago.
City profiles: Chicago, IL Β· Syracuse, NY.