Moving from Joliet, IL to Syracuse, NY
A move from Joliet, IL to Syracuse, NY covers 693 mi and around 13h 19m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
693 mi · 13h 19m by car · IL → IN → OH → PA → NY
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → IN → OH → PA → NY |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 80, I 271 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Naperville, Chicago, South Bend, Toledo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Joliet | 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 |
Syracuse is 7.6% cheaper than Joliet overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Syracuse is 7.6% below Joliet ($210,251 vs $259,875 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Syracuse +5.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Joliet | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 82°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | 127.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | 39.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Joliet (50.4°F) and Syracuse (48.5°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Syracuse averages 127.8 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, SYRACUSE HANCOCK INTL AP, NY US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 146,211 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $45,845 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 31.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 17.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.47 |
Median household income in Syracuse is 7.6% below Joliet ($88,026 vs $45,845, 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.
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 — 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
- 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 — 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 16.9 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
Is Syracuse more expensive than Joliet?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Syracuse is 7.6% lower than Joliet (95.742 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Joliet and Syracuse?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 48.5°F in Syracuse vs 50.4°F in Joliet (1.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 127.8 in vs 16.9 in. Annual precipitation: 39.9 in vs 38.0 in.
How far is Syracuse, NY from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 693 mi and the route typically takes 13h 19m via I 90 and I 80. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Joliet 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 693 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Syracuse compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,350 in the Syracuse MSA vs $49,790 in the Joliet 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 much do homes cost in Syracuse compared to Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $210,251 in Syracuse vs $259,875 in Joliet — a 19.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Joliet vs Syracuse?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $45,845 in Syracuse vs $88,026 in Joliet — a 47.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Joliet.
City profiles: Joliet, IL · Syracuse, NY.