Moving from Rochester, MN to Syracuse, NY
The drive from Rochester, MN to Syracuse, NY runs 1028 mi — about 19h 29m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1028 mi · 19h 29m by car · NY → PA → OH → IN → IL → WI → MN
Distance & route
| Route through | NY → PA → OH → IN → IL → WI → MN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 80, I 94 |
| Major cities en route | Rochester, Buffalo, Cleveland, Akron, Toledo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Syracuse | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.821 | 95.742 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.389 | 133.405 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.433 | 99.693 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.628 | 80.656 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Syracuse is 5.4% higher than Rochester, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Syracuse is 5.4% below Rochester — $339,455 vs $210,251 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Rochester +3.9%, Syracuse +5.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rochester | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 7°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 82°F |
| Annual snowfall | 53.1" | 127.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 39.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Rochester (44.8°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: ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US, SYRACUSE HANCOCK INTL AP, NY US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | 146,211 |
| Median household income | $87,767 | $45,845 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 31.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.7% | 17.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.47 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 5.4% between Rochester and Syracuse (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 Minnesota 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.
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 53.1 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 Rochester vs Syracuse?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $45,845 in Syracuse vs $87,767 in Rochester — a 47.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Rochester 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 1028 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 Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,350 in the Syracuse MSA vs $55,970 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 294,490 and 119,430 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Syracuse, NY from Rochester, MN?
The driving distance is 1028 mi and the route typically takes 19h 29m via I 90 and I 80. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Syracuse compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $210,251 in Syracuse vs $339,455 in Rochester — a 38.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Syracuse more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Syracuse is 5.4% higher than Rochester (95.742 vs 90.821, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Rochester and Syracuse?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 48.5°F in Syracuse vs 44.8°F in Rochester (3.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 127.8 in vs 53.1 in. Annual precipitation: 39.9 in vs 34.7 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rochester.
City profiles: Rochester, MN · Syracuse, NY.