Moving from Dearborn, MI to Syracuse, NY
Relocating between Dearborn, MI and Syracuse, NY is a 498 mi drive — 9h 41m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
498 mi · 9h 41m by car · NY → PA → OH → MI
Distance & route
| Route through | NY → PA → OH → MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 75, I 280 |
| Major cities en route | Rochester, Buffalo, Cleveland, Akron, Toledo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dearborn | Syracuse | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.298 | 95.742 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.988 | 133.405 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 98.817 | 99.693 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.69 | 80.656 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 4.5% under Dearborn — $245,068 → $210,251 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Dearborn +4.3%, Syracuse +5.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Dearborn | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 82°F |
| Annual snowfall | 30.8" | 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: DEARBORN, MI US, SYRACUSE HANCOCK INTL AP, NY US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dearborn | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 146,211 |
| Median household income | $65,192 | $45,845 |
| Median age | 32.6 | 31.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 17.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.97 | 2.47 |
Expect median household income to fall 4.5% — $65,192 → $45,845 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Michigan 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
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect snow bands across the western Upper Peninsula can require chains on US-2.
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 30.8 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 Dearborn?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $210,251 in Syracuse vs $245,068 in Dearborn — a 14.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Syracuse compare to Dearborn?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,350 in the Syracuse MSA vs $48,950 in the Dearborn MSA, on total employment of 294,490 and 1,900,180 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Syracuse, NY from Dearborn, MI?
The driving distance is 498 mi and the route typically takes 9h 41m via I 90 and I 75. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Dearborn vs Syracuse?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $45,845 in Syracuse vs $65,192 in Dearborn — a 29.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Dearborn and Syracuse?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 48.5°F in Syracuse vs 49.5°F in Dearborn (1.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 127.8 in vs 30.8 in. Annual precipitation: 39.9 in vs 35.1 in.
Is Syracuse more expensive than Dearborn?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Syracuse is 4.5% lower than Dearborn (95.742 vs 100.298, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Dearborn 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 498 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 Dearborn.
City profiles: Dearborn, MI · Syracuse, NY.