Moving from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Yonkers, NY
Relocating 1272 mi from Fort Lauderdale to Yonkers is a 24h 4m drive through 10 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1272 mi · 24h 4m by car · NY → NJ → DE → MD → DC → VA → NC → SC → GA → FL
Distance & route
| Route through | NY → NJ → DE → MD → DC → VA → NC → SC → GA → FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, NJTP, I 295 |
| Major cities en route | Stamford, Paterson, New York, Newark, Jersey City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Lauderdale | Yonkers | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
1.4% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Fort Lauderdale -4.9%, Yonkers +5.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fort Lauderdale | Yonkers |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 77°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 60°F | 23°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 32.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 64.3" | 51.2" |
Annual average temperature gap of 23.5°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Heavy-snow city: expect 32.7 in of snowfall annually at Yonkers.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US, DOBBS FERRY-ARDSLEY, NY US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Lauderdale | Yonkers |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 209,529 |
| Median household income | $79,935 | $81,816 |
| Median age | 42.9 | 39 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.8% | 19.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.27 | 2.6 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 Florida 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.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Yonkers averages 32.7 in annually vs 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Pack rain gear on top: Yonkers averages 51.2 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (23.5°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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
What is the climate difference between Fort Lauderdale and Yonkers?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 53.4°F in Yonkers vs 76.9°F in Fort Lauderdale (23.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 32.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 51.2 in vs 64.3 in.
Is Yonkers more expensive than Fort Lauderdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Yonkers is 1.4% lower than Fort Lauderdale (112.563 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Fort Lauderdale vs Yonkers?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,816 in Yonkers vs $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale — a 2.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Fort Lauderdale 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 1272 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Yonkers compared to Fort Lauderdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $680,218 in Yonkers vs $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale — a 33.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Yonkers, NY from Fort Lauderdale, FL?
The driving distance is 1272 mi and the route typically takes 24h 4m via I 95 and NJTP. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Yonkers compare to Fort Lauderdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Yonkers MSA vs $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 2,721,490 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 Fort Lauderdale.
City profiles: Fort Lauderdale, FL · Yonkers, NY.