Moving from New York, NY to Worcester, MA
Relocating between New York, NY and Worcester, MA is a 178 mi drive — 3h 56m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
178 mi · 3h 56m by car · NY → CT → MA
Distance & route
| Route through | NY → CT → MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CT 15, I 84, US 6 |
| Major cities en route | Newark, Jersey City, Elizabeth, Paterson, Yonkers |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| New York | Worcester | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 102.523 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 155.206 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 97.015 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 113.001 | 100.0 |
Expect about 8.9% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Worcester at 102.523 vs New York at 112.563.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 8.9% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $812,861 to $430,112 moving to Worcester.
YoY change: New York +4.5%, Worcester +1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | New York | Worcester |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 48°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 85°F | 80°F |
| Annual snowfall | 24.5" | 72.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.1" | 48.3" |
Expect 7.4°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Worcester averages 72.9 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: NY AVE V BROOKLYN, NY US, WORCESTER RGNL AP, MA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | New York | Worcester |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 205,501 |
| Median household income | $79,713 | $67,544 |
| Median age | 38 | 34.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.6% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.57 | 2.6 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 8.9% lower in Worcester than New York.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New York and Massachusetts
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Massachusetts'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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Worcester averages 72.9 in annually vs 24.5 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 Massachusetts after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Worcester, MA from New York, NY?
The driving distance is 178 mi and the route typically takes 3h 56m via CT 15 and I 84. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from New York to Worcester?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 178 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 Worcester?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 48.1°F in Worcester vs 55.5°F in New York (7.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 72.9 in vs 24.5 in. Annual precipitation: 48.3 in vs 47.1 in.
Is Worcester more expensive than New York?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Worcester is 8.9% lower than New York (102.523 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Worcester compared to New York?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $430,112 in Worcester vs $812,861 in New York — a 47.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in New York vs Worcester?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,544 in Worcester vs $79,713 in New York — a 15.3% lower 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 · Worcester, MA.