Moving from Elizabeth, NJ to Yonkers, NY
The drive from Elizabeth to Yonkers covers 34 mi in about 52 min. Local moves still matter — school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
34 mi · 52 min by car · NY → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | NY → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, NJTP, US 1 |
| Major cities en route | Stamford, Paterson, New York, Jersey City, Newark |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elizabeth | Yonkers | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Elizabeth (112.563) and Yonkers (112.563) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Yonkers: 0.0% above Elizabeth on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Elizabeth +3.3%, Yonkers +5.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Elizabeth | Yonkers |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 23°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 31.5" | 32.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 51.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 32.7 in of snowfall annually at Yonkers.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US, DOBBS FERRY-ARDSLEY, NY US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elizabeth | Yonkers |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 209,529 |
| Median household income | $63,874 | $81,816 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 39 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.8% | 19.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.6 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 0.0% between Elizabeth and Yonkers (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Yonkers MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 1,165,200 | $50,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 806,590 | $46,160 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 755,900 | $44,800 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 755,280 | $37,670 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 725,930 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Jersey and New York
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New York'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
- 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: Yonkers averages 32.7 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Pack rain gear on top: Yonkers averages 51.2 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 New York after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Yonkers compared to Elizabeth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $680,218 in Yonkers vs $534,667 in Elizabeth — a 27.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Elizabeth vs Yonkers?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,816 in Yonkers vs $63,874 in Elizabeth — a 28.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Elizabeth and Yonkers?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 53.4°F in Yonkers vs 55.5°F in Elizabeth (2.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 32.7 in vs 31.5 in. Annual precipitation: 51.2 in vs 46.6 in.
How does the job market in Yonkers compare to Elizabeth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Yonkers MSA vs $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Elizabeth to Yonkers?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 34 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Yonkers, NY from Elizabeth, NJ?
The driving distance is 34 mi and the route typically takes 52 min via I 95 and NJTP. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elizabeth.
City profiles: Elizabeth, NJ · Yonkers, NY.