Moving from Syracuse, NY to Joliet, IL
A move from Syracuse, NY to Joliet, IL covers 693 mi and around 13h 19m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
693 mi · 13h 19m 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 | Aurora, Naperville, Chicago, South Bend, Toledo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Syracuse | Joliet | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.742 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 133.405 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.693 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 80.656 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 8.2% pricier overall in Joliet than Syracuse on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Joliet typical home at $259,875 is 8.2% above Syracuse at $210,251 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Syracuse +5.1%, Joliet +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Syracuse | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 127.8" | 16.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 39.9" | 38.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 48.5°F vs 50.4°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Joliet sees 16.9 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SYRACUSE HANCOCK INTL AP, NY US, JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Syracuse | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,211 | 149,785 |
| Median household income | $45,845 | $88,026 |
| Median age | 31.9 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.2% | 16% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.96 |
Median household income in Joliet is 8.2% above Syracuse ($45,845 vs $88,026, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Joliet MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 519,810 | $46,540 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 497,550 | $41,020 |
| Management Occupations | 405,130 | $125,280 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 386,070 | $38,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 368,000 | $33,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New York and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois'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
- Winter gear first: Joliet averages 16.9 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — 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 Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Syracuse to Joliet?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 693 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Joliet compared to Syracuse?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $259,875 in Joliet vs $210,251 in Syracuse — a 23.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Joliet compare to Syracuse?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Joliet MSA vs $49,350 in the Syracuse MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 294,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Syracuse vs Joliet?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,026 in Joliet vs $45,845 in Syracuse — a 92.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Syracuse and Joliet?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Joliet vs 48.5°F in Syracuse (1.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 16.9 in vs 127.8 in. Annual precipitation: 38.0 in vs 39.9 in.
How far is Joliet, IL from Syracuse, NY?
The driving distance is 693 mi and the route typically takes 13h 19m via I 90 and I 80. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Joliet more expensive than Syracuse?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Joliet is 8.2% higher than Syracuse (103.595 vs 95.742, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Syracuse.
City profiles: Syracuse, NY · Joliet, IL.