Moving from Los Angeles, CA to New York, NY
It is 2811 mi and 50h 15m from Los Angeles to New York — a cross-country move across 13 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2811 mi · 50h 15m by car · NY → NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NY → NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 80 EXPRESS |
| Major cities en route | Newark, Jersey City, Elizabeth, Yonkers, Paterson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Los Angeles | New York | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 113.566 vs 112.563 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 0.9% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Los Angeles -1.4%, New York +4.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Los Angeles | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 48°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 78°F | 85°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 24.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.1" | 47.1" |
Expect 8.3°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
New York averages 24.5 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CULVER CITY, CA US, NY AVE V BROOKLYN, NY US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Los Angeles | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 8,516,202 |
| Median household income | $80,366 | $79,713 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.5% | 23.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.57 |
Median household incomes in Los Angeles ($80,366) and New York ($79,713) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in New York 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 California 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.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter 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.
- 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.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 — New York averages 24.5 in annually vs 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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 does household income compare in Los Angeles vs New York?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,713 in New York vs $80,366 in Los Angeles — a 0.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is New York more expensive than Los Angeles?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in New York is 0.9% lower than Los Angeles (112.563 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is New York, NY from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance is 2811 mi and the route typically takes 50h 15m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 13 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in New York compared to Los Angeles?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $812,861 in New York vs $952,183 in Los Angeles — a 14.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Los Angeles and New York?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.5°F in New York vs 63.8°F in Los Angeles (8.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 24.5 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 47.1 in vs 14.1 in.
How does the job market in New York compare to Los Angeles?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the New York MSA vs $50,490 in the Los Angeles MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Los Angeles to New York?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2811 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Los Angeles.
City profiles: Los Angeles, CA · New York, NY.