Moving from New York, NY to Austin, TX
It is 1747 mi and 31h 51m from New York to Austin — a cross-country move across 9 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.
1747 mi · 31h 51m by car · NY → NJ → PA → MD → WV → VA → TN → AR → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | NY → NJ → PA → MD → WV → VA → TN → AR → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Yonkers, Jersey City, Newark, Paterson, Elizabeth |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| New York | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 12.9% cheaper overall in Austin than New York on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
12.9% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: New York +4.5%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | New York | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 42°F |
| July avg high | 85°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 24.5" | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.1" | 36.3" |
Expect 14.5°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Austin — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NY AVE V BROOKLYN, NY US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | New York | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $79,713 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 38 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.6% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.57 | 2.2 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 12.9% higher in Austin than New York.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New York and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Austin average 97°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.5°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Austin compare to New York?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $59,390 in the New York MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Austin, TX from New York, NY?
The driving distance is 1747 mi and the route typically takes 31h 51m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from New York to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1747 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between New York and Austin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.0°F in Austin vs 55.5°F in New York (14.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.2 in vs 24.5 in. Annual precipitation: 36.3 in vs 47.1 in.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to New York?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $812,861 in New York — a 37.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Austin more expensive than New York?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 12.9% lower than New York (98.066 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in New York vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $79,713 in New York — a 14.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from New York.
City profiles: New York, NY · Austin, TX.