Moving from Syracuse, NY to Cedar Rapids, IA
Relocating 908 mi from Syracuse to Cedar Rapids is a 17h 12m drive through 6 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
908 mi Β· 17h 12m by car Β· NY β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA
Distance & route
| Route through | NY β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 80, 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
| Syracuse | Cedar Rapids | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.742 | 88.963 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 133.405 | 83.981 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.693 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 80.656 | 71.447 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 7.1% cheaper overall in Cedar Rapids than Syracuse on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Syracuse to Cedar Rapids β $210,251 vs $204,112 (2026-03).
YoY change: Syracuse +5.1%, Cedar Rapids +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Syracuse | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 48Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 11Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 127.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 39.9" | 35.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SYRACUSE HANCOCK INTL AP, NY US, CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Syracuse | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,211 | 136,859 |
| Median household income | $45,845 | $67,859 |
| Median age | 31.9 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.2% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.32 |
Expect median household income to rise 7.1% β $45,845 β $67,859 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Cedar Rapids MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,490 | $43,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 14,280 | $46,000 |
| Production Occupations | 13,570 | $46,060 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 11,520 | $34,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 11,280 | $29,630 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New York and Iowa
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Iowa'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
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter β check 511NY.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Tornado season runs April through June β identify a safe room or interior space early.
- 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 Iowa after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Cedar Rapids, IA from Syracuse, NY?
The driving distance is 908 mi and the route typically takes 17h 12m via I 90 and I 80. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Cedar Rapids compared to Syracuse?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $204,112 in Cedar Rapids vs $210,251 in Syracuse β a 2.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Syracuse vs Cedar Rapids?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids vs $45,845 in Syracuse β a 48.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Syracuse to Cedar Rapids?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 908 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Cedar Rapids more expensive than Syracuse?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cedar Rapids is 7.1% lower than Syracuse (88.963 vs 95.742, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Cedar Rapids compare to Syracuse?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA vs $49,350 in the Syracuse MSA, on total employment of 140,020 and 294,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Syracuse.
City profiles: Syracuse, NY Β· Cedar Rapids, IA.