Moving from Syracuse, NY to Denver, CO
Moving from Syracuse, NY to Denver, CO is a 1664 mi cross-country relocation — about 30h 18m of driving through 8 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1664 mi · 30h 18m by car · CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NY
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NY |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Centennial, Lakewood, Thornton, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Syracuse | Denver | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.742 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 133.405 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.693 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 80.656 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Denver is 10.5% higher than Syracuse, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Denver is 10.5% above Syracuse — $210,251 vs $539,666 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Syracuse +5.1%, Denver -4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Syracuse | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 127.8" | 49.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 39.9" | 15.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Syracuse (48.5°F) and Denver (51.4°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Denver averages 49.0 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, DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Syracuse | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,211 | 713,734 |
| Median household income | $45,845 | $91,681 |
| Median age | 31.9 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.2% | 33.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.17 |
Median household income in Denver is 10.5% above Syracuse ($45,845 vs $91,681, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Denver MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New York and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- 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
- Winter gear first: Denver averages 49.0 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Denver average 90°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Syracuse to Denver?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1664 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Denver, CO from Syracuse, NY?
The driving distance is 1664 mi and the route typically takes 30h 18m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Syracuse vs Denver?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,681 in Denver vs $45,845 in Syracuse — a 100.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Syracuse and Denver?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 51.4°F in Denver vs 48.5°F in Syracuse (2.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 49.0 in vs 127.8 in. Annual precipitation: 15.4 in vs 39.9 in.
Is Denver more expensive than Syracuse?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Denver is 10.5% higher than Syracuse (105.782 vs 95.742, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Denver compare to Syracuse?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Denver MSA vs $49,350 in the Syracuse MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 294,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Denver compared to Syracuse?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $539,666 in Denver vs $210,251 in Syracuse — a 156.7% 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 · Denver, CO.