Moving from Syracuse, NY to St. Louis, MO

A move from Syracuse, NY to St. Louis, MO covers 890 mi and around 16h 53m of driving through 6 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.

890 mi Β· 16h 53m by car Β· MO β†’ IL β†’ IN β†’ OH β†’ PA β†’ NY

COL -0.7% Ξ” +9.5Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
890 mi
Drive time
16h 53m
States
6
Fuel (25 mpg)
36 gal
Route throughMO β†’ IL β†’ IN β†’ OH β†’ PA β†’ NY
Primary highwaysI 70, I 90, I 71
Major cities en routeDayton, Columbus, Akron, Cleveland, Buffalo

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

SyracuseSt. LouisU.S. avg
All items (RPP)95.74295.088100.0
Rents133.40569.921100.0
Goods99.69399.996100.0
Services80.65679.024100.0

St. Louis and Syracuse are close on the overall BEA RPP (95.742 vs 95.088); rent and services often drive the real difference.

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Syracuse β€” typical home
$210,251
St. Louis β€” typical home
β€”
Syracuse β€” typical rent
$1,584/mo

YoY change: Syracuse +5.1%, St. Louis β€”. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsSyracuseSt. Louis
Annual avg temperature49Β°F58Β°F
January avg low17Β°F25Β°F
July avg high82Β°F90Β°F
Annual snowfall127.8"β€”
Annual precipitation39.9"43.9"

St. Louis runs 9.5Β°F warmer on the annual average (48.5Β°F vs 58.0Β°F, NOAA 1991–2020).

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SYRACUSE HANCOCK INTL AP, NY US, ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023SyracuseSt. Louis
Population146,211293,109
Median household income$45,845$55,279
Median age31.936.6
Bachelor's degree or higher17.2%22%
Avg household size2.472.03

Median household income in St. Louis is 0.7% above Syracuse ($45,845 vs $55,279, ACS 5-year 2023).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Syracuse MSA β€” median wage
$49,350
St. Louis MSA β€” median wage
$47,490
Syracuse MSA β€” employment
294,490
St. Louis MSA β€” employment
1,325,480

Top occupations in St. Louis MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian wage
Office and Administrative Support Occupations 162,150 $43,310
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations 119,600 $29,980
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations 115,380 $39,330
Sales and Related Occupations 108,510 $35,500
Management Occupations 94,750 $100,940

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Moving between New York and Missouri

New York income tax
10.9% top marginal
Missouri income tax
4.7% top marginal

State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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 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 β€” check 511NY.

State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.

Packing & arrival checklist

  • Tornadoes are common April through June β€” identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
  • 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 Missouri after establishing residency.

Frequently asked

When is the best time to move from Syracuse to St. Louis?

Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 890 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β€” see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.

How far is St. Louis, MO from Syracuse, NY?

The driving distance is 890 mi and the route typically takes 16h 53m via I 70 and I 90. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

How does household income compare in Syracuse vs St. Louis?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,279 in St. Louis vs $45,845 in Syracuse β€” a 20.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

Is St. Louis more expensive than Syracuse?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in St. Louis is 0.7% lower than Syracuse (95.088 vs 95.742, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

How does the job market in St. Louis compare to Syracuse?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA vs $49,350 in the Syracuse MSA, on total employment of 1,325,480 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· St. Louis, MO.

Related routes