Moving from Syracuse, NY to Fayetteville, NC
Relocating 692 mi from Syracuse to Fayetteville is a 13h 37m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
692 mi · 13h 37m by car · NC → VA → MD → PA → NY
Distance & route
| Route through | NC → VA → MD → PA → NY |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 81, I 95 BUSINESS, US 301 |
| Major cities en route | Raleigh, Richmond, Alexandria |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Syracuse | Fayetteville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.742 | 91.978 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 133.405 | 87.779 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.693 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 80.656 | 73.081 | 100.0 |
Syracuse and Fayetteville sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Fayetteville run about 3.9% pricier — ZHVI $210,251 → $225,534 (2026-03).
YoY change: Syracuse +5.1%, Fayetteville +0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Syracuse | Fayetteville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 127.8" | 1.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 39.9" | 47.9" |
Expect 13.4°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 1.2 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SYRACUSE HANCOCK INTL AP, NY US, FAYETTEVILLE (PWC), NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Syracuse | Fayetteville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,211 | 209,692 |
| Median household income | $45,845 | $56,395 |
| Median age | 31.9 | 30.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.2% | 18.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.57 |
Expect median household income to rise 3.9% — $45,845 → $56,395 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fayetteville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,580 | $38,500 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,440 | $25,680 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 12,990 | $29,600 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 11,600 | $34,510 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 10,550 | $46,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New York and North Carolina
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check North Carolina'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
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Fayetteville average 91°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (13.4°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Atlantic hurricane season runs August through October, particularly on the Outer Banks.
- 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 North Carolina after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Fayetteville more expensive than Syracuse?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fayetteville is 3.9% lower than Syracuse (91.978 vs 95.742, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Fayetteville compared to Syracuse?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $225,534 in Fayetteville vs $210,251 in Syracuse — a 7.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Fayetteville compare to Syracuse?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,480 in the Fayetteville MSA vs $49,350 in the Syracuse MSA, on total employment of 130,480 and 294,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Fayetteville, NC from Syracuse, NY?
The driving distance is 692 mi and the route typically takes 13h 37m via I 81 and I 95 BUSINESS. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Syracuse to Fayetteville?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 692 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Syracuse vs Fayetteville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $56,395 in Fayetteville vs $45,845 in Syracuse — a 23.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Syracuse and Fayetteville?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.9°F in Fayetteville vs 48.5°F in Syracuse (13.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.2 in vs 127.8 in. Annual precipitation: 47.9 in vs 39.9 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Syracuse.
City profiles: Syracuse, NY · Fayetteville, NC.