Moving from Syracuse, NY to Lakewood, CO
Cross-country relocations like Syracuse, NY → Lakewood, CO cover 1674 mi and about 30h 29m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1674 mi · 30h 29m by car · CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NY
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NY |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Arvada, Boulder, Denver, Westminster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Syracuse | Lakewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.742 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 133.405 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.693 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 80.656 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 10.5% pricier overall in Lakewood than Syracuse on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Lakewood typical home at $573,913 is 10.5% above Syracuse at $210,251 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Syracuse +5.1%, Lakewood -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Syracuse | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 21°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 127.8" | 58.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 39.9" | 17.5" |
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: Lakewood sees 58.0 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, LAKEWOOD, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Syracuse | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,211 | 156,309 |
| Median household income | $45,845 | $85,789 |
| Median age | 31.9 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.2% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.26 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 10.5% between Syracuse and Lakewood (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Lakewood MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New York and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- 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: Lakewood averages 58.0 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Lakewood, CO from Syracuse, NY?
The driving distance is 1674 mi and the route typically takes 30h 29m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Syracuse and Lakewood?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Lakewood vs 48.5°F in Syracuse (1.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 58.0 in vs 127.8 in. Annual precipitation: 17.5 in vs 39.9 in.
How much do homes cost in Lakewood compared to Syracuse?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,913 in Lakewood vs $210,251 in Syracuse — a 173.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Lakewood compare to Syracuse?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA vs $49,350 in the Syracuse MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 294,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Lakewood more expensive than Syracuse?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakewood is 10.5% higher than Syracuse (105.782 vs 95.742, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Syracuse to Lakewood?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1674 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Syracuse vs Lakewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,789 in Lakewood vs $45,845 in Syracuse — a 87.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Syracuse.
City profiles: Syracuse, NY · Lakewood, CO.