Moving from Syracuse, NY to Buffalo, NY
The 149 mi from Syracuse to Buffalo 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
| Syracuse | Buffalo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.742 | 95.844 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 133.405 | 129.489 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.693 | 99.693 | 100.0 |
| Services | 80.656 | 80.989 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Buffalo and Syracuse is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Buffalo is 0.1% above Syracuse ($238,089 vs $210,251 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Syracuse +5.1%, Buffalo +3.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Syracuse | Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 19°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 80°F |
| Annual snowfall | 127.8" | 95.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 39.9" | 40.7" |
Annual average temperatures in Syracuse (48.5°F) and Buffalo (48.8°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Buffalo averages 95.4 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: SYRACUSE HANCOCK INTL AP, NY US, BUFFALO, NY US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Syracuse | Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,211 | 276,397 |
| Median household income | $45,845 | $48,050 |
| Median age | 31.9 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.2% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.31 |
Median household incomes in Syracuse ($45,845) and Buffalo ($48,050) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Buffalo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 71,050 | $45,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 46,930 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 45,050 | $36,000 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 38,950 | $82,350 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 38,910 | $40,300 |
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
- Winter gear first: Buffalo averages 95.4 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — 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.
Frequently asked
How far is Buffalo, NY from Syracuse, 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.
When is the best time to move from Syracuse to Buffalo?
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.
What is the climate difference between Syracuse and Buffalo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 48.8°F in Buffalo vs 48.5°F in Syracuse (0.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 95.4 in vs 127.8 in. Annual precipitation: 40.7 in vs 39.9 in.
How does household income compare in Syracuse vs Buffalo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,050 in Buffalo vs $45,845 in Syracuse — a 4.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Buffalo more expensive than Syracuse?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Buffalo is 0.1% higher than Syracuse (95.844 vs 95.742, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Buffalo compare to Syracuse?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,560 in the Buffalo MSA vs $49,350 in the Syracuse MSA, on total employment of 526,990 and 294,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Buffalo compared to Syracuse?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $238,089 in Buffalo vs $210,251 in Syracuse — a 13.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Syracuse.
City profiles: Syracuse, NY · Buffalo, NY.