Moving from Rochester, NY to Syracuse, NY
Moving from Rochester, NY to Syracuse, NY covers 88 mi and about 1h 49m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
88 mi · 1h 49m by car · NY
Distance & route
| Route through | NY |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 490, I 690 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Syracuse | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.035 | 95.742 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 133.213 | 133.405 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.693 | 99.693 | 100.0 |
| Services | 87.481 | 80.656 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Rochester (97.035) and Syracuse (95.742) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Syracuse ZHVI at $210,251 is 1.3% below Rochester at $235,784.
YoY change: Rochester +3.0%, Syracuse +5.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rochester | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 82°F |
| Annual snowfall | 102.0" | 127.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.1" | 39.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 127.8 in of snowfall annually at Syracuse.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ROCHESTER GTR INTL AP, NY US, SYRACUSE HANCOCK INTL AP, NY US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 146,211 |
| Median household income | $46,628 | $45,845 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 31.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.3% | 17.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.27 | 2.47 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 102.0 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
How far is Syracuse, NY from Rochester, NY?
The driving distance is 88 mi and the route typically takes 1h 49m via I 90 and I 490. The trip crosses 1 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 $235,784 in Rochester — a 10.8% 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 1.3% lower than Rochester (95.742 vs 97.035, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
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 $46,628 in Rochester — a 1.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
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 $48,500 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 294,490 and 493,220 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Rochester and Syracuse?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 48.5°F in Syracuse vs 49.5°F in Rochester (1.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 127.8 in vs 102.0 in. Annual precipitation: 39.9 in vs 35.1 in.
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 88 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 Rochester.
City profiles: Rochester, NY · Syracuse, NY.