Moving from Philadelphia, PA to Syracuse, NY
Moving from Philadelphia, PA to Syracuse, NY covers 253 mi and about 5h 1m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
253 mi · 5h 1m by car · PA → NY
Distance & route
| Route through | PA → NY |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 81, I 476, PATP |
| Major cities en route | Allentown |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Philadelphia | Syracuse | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.554 | 95.742 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 114.389 | 133.405 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.833 | 99.693 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.141 | 80.656 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 102.554 to 95.742, putting Syracuse roughly 6.6% below Philadelphia on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Syracuse ZHVI at $210,251 is 6.6% below Philadelphia at $231,815.
YoY change: Philadelphia +2.0%, Syracuse +5.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Philadelphia | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 82°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.1" | 127.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.7" | 39.9" |
Syracuse is 9.2°F cooler on the annual average (57.7°F vs 48.5°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Heavy-snow city: expect 127.8 in of snowfall annually at Syracuse.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PHILA FRANKLIN INST, PA US, SYRACUSE HANCOCK INTL AP, NY US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Philadelphia | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 146,211 |
| Median household income | $60,698 | $45,845 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 31.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 17.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.47 |
Median household income in Syracuse is 6.6% below Philadelphia ($60,698 vs $45,845, ACS 5-year 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 Pennsylvania 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 16.1 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 does household income compare in Philadelphia vs Syracuse?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $45,845 in Syracuse vs $60,698 in Philadelphia — a 24.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Philadelphia and Syracuse?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 48.5°F in Syracuse vs 57.7°F in Philadelphia (9.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 127.8 in vs 16.1 in. Annual precipitation: 39.9 in vs 50.7 in.
How much do homes cost in Syracuse compared to Philadelphia?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $210,251 in Syracuse vs $231,815 in Philadelphia — a 9.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Philadelphia 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 253 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Syracuse more expensive than Philadelphia?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Syracuse is 6.6% lower than Philadelphia (95.742 vs 102.554, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Syracuse compare to Philadelphia?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,350 in the Syracuse MSA vs $50,160 in the Philadelphia MSA, on total employment of 294,490 and 2,829,560 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Syracuse, NY from Philadelphia, PA?
The driving distance is 253 mi and the route typically takes 5h 1m via I 81 and I 476. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Philadelphia.
City profiles: Philadelphia, PA · Syracuse, NY.