Moving from Aurora, IL to Syracuse, NY
It is 714 mi between Aurora and Syracuse — roughly 13h 47m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
714 mi · 13h 47m by car · IL → IN → OH → PA → NY
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → IN → OH → PA → NY |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 80, I 271 |
| Major cities en route | Joliet, Elgin, Naperville, Chicago, South Bend |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Aurora | Syracuse | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 95.742 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 133.405 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 99.693 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 80.656 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 7.6% moving from Aurora to Syracuse — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $316,958 in Aurora to $210,251 in Syracuse, a 7.6% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Aurora +2.9%, Syracuse +5.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Aurora | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 16°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 82°F |
| Annual snowfall | 27.9" | 127.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 39.5" | 39.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 50.2°F vs 48.5°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Syracuse sees 127.8 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: AURORA, IL US, SYRACUSE HANCOCK INTL AP, NY US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Aurora | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 179,867 | 146,211 |
| Median household income | $90,109 | $45,845 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 31.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 17.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.47 |
Syracuse households earn about 7.6% less than Aurora at the median — $90,109 → $45,845 on 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 Illinois 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
- 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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Syracuse averages 127.8 in annually vs 27.9 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 much do homes cost in Syracuse compared to Aurora?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $210,251 in Syracuse vs $316,958 in Aurora — a 33.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Syracuse compare to Aurora?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,350 in the Syracuse MSA vs $49,790 in the Aurora MSA, on total employment of 294,490 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Syracuse more expensive than Aurora?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Syracuse is 7.6% lower than Aurora (95.742 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Aurora and Syracuse?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 48.5°F in Syracuse vs 50.2°F in Aurora (1.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 127.8 in vs 27.9 in. Annual precipitation: 39.9 in vs 39.5 in.
How far is Syracuse, NY from Aurora, IL?
The driving distance is 714 mi and the route typically takes 13h 47m via I 90 and I 80. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Aurora 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 714 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Aurora vs Syracuse?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $45,845 in Syracuse vs $90,109 in Aurora — a 49.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Aurora.
City profiles: Aurora, IL · Syracuse, NY.