Moving from Syracuse, NY to Los Angeles, CA
Cross-country relocations like Syracuse, NY → Los Angeles, CA cover 2691 mi and about 48h 12m of driving through 11 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.
2691 mi · 48h 12m by car · CA → NV → UT → CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NY
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → UT → CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NY |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Torrance, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Inglewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Syracuse | Los Angeles | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.742 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 133.405 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.693 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 80.656 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Los Angeles is 18.6% higher than Syracuse, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Los Angeles is 18.6% above Syracuse — $210,251 vs $952,183 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Syracuse +5.1%, Los Angeles -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Syracuse | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 48°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 78°F |
| Annual snowfall | 127.8" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 39.9" | 14.1" |
Los Angeles runs 15.3°F warmer on the annual average (48.5°F vs 63.8°F) — a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
Los Angeles gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SYRACUSE HANCOCK INTL AP, NY US, CULVER CITY, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Syracuse | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,211 | 3,857,897 |
| Median household income | $45,845 | $80,366 |
| Median age | 31.9 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.2% | 24.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.72 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 18.6% between Syracuse and Los Angeles (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Los Angeles MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New York and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- 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
- Dry climate: Los Angeles sees only 14.1 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (15.3°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Los Angeles compared to Syracuse?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $952,183 in Los Angeles vs $210,251 in Syracuse — a 352.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Syracuse to Los Angeles?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2691 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Los Angeles, CA from Syracuse, NY?
The driving distance is 2691 mi and the route typically takes 48h 12m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Syracuse vs Los Angeles?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $80,366 in Los Angeles vs $45,845 in Syracuse — a 75.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Los Angeles compare to Syracuse?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Los Angeles MSA vs $49,350 in the Syracuse MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 294,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Syracuse and Los Angeles?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.8°F in Los Angeles vs 48.5°F in Syracuse (15.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 127.8 in. Annual precipitation: 14.1 in vs 39.9 in.
Is Los Angeles more expensive than Syracuse?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Los Angeles is 18.6% higher than Syracuse (113.566 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 · Los Angeles, CA.