Moving from Sioux Falls, SD to Syracuse, NY
The drive from Sioux Falls, SD to Syracuse, NY runs 1252 mi β about 23h 25m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1252 mi Β· 23h 25m by car Β· SD β MN β WI β IL β IN β OH β PA β NY
Distance & route
| Route through | SD β MN β WI β IL β IN β OH β PA β NY |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 80, I 271 |
| Major cities en route | Rochester, Madison, Rockford, Elgin, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sioux Falls | Syracuse | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.631 | 95.742 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.7 | 133.405 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.472 | 99.693 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.605 | 80.656 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 5.6% pricier overall in Syracuse than Sioux Falls on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Syracuse typical home at $210,251 is 5.6% under Sioux Falls at $329,723 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Sioux Falls +1.5%, Syracuse +5.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sioux Falls | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 7Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 127.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 28.3" | 39.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 46.6Β°F vs 48.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Syracuse sees 127.8 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SIOUX FALLS WFO AP, SD US, SYRACUSE HANCOCK INTL AP, NY US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sioux Falls | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,642 | 146,211 |
| Median household income | $74,714 | $45,845 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 31.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 17.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.47 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 5.6% between Sioux Falls and Syracuse (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 South Dakota 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- 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 β check 511NY.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Syracuse averages 127.8 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Sioux Falls?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $210,251 in Syracuse vs $329,723 in Sioux Falls β a 36.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Syracuse compare to Sioux Falls?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,350 in the Syracuse MSA vs $45,440 in the Sioux Falls MSA, on total employment of 294,490 and 165,960 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Syracuse more expensive than Sioux Falls?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Syracuse is 5.6% higher than Sioux Falls (95.742 vs 90.631, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Sioux Falls to Syracuse?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1252 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Sioux Falls vs Syracuse?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $45,845 in Syracuse vs $74,714 in Sioux Falls β a 38.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Syracuse, NY from Sioux Falls, SD?
The driving distance is 1252 mi and the route typically takes 23h 25m via I 90 and I 80. The trip crosses 8 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 Sioux Falls.
City profiles: Sioux Falls, SD Β· Syracuse, NY.