Moving from Palmdale, CA to Yonkers, NY
Moving from Palmdale, CA to Yonkers, NY is a 2771 mi cross-country relocation — about 49h 30m of driving through 12 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2771 mi · 49h 30m by car · NY → NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → CO → UT → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NY → NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → CO → UT → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 80 EXPRESS |
| Major cities en route | Stamford, New York, Jersey City, Newark, Paterson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palmdale | Yonkers | 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 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Palmdale (113.566) 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: 0.9% above Palmdale on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Palmdale -1.3%, Yonkers +5.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Palmdale | Yonkers |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 23°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 32.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 7.3" | 51.2" |
Yonkers is 10.2°F cooler on the annual average (63.6°F vs 53.4°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Heavy-snow city: expect 32.7 in of snowfall annually at Yonkers.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PALMDALE, CA US, DOBBS FERRY-ARDSLEY, NY US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palmdale | Yonkers |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 165,487 | 209,529 |
| Median household income | $81,151 | $81,816 |
| Median age | 33.2 | 39 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 19.6% |
| Avg household size | 3.56 | 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 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-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 — 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 (10.2°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
How much do homes cost in Yonkers compared to Palmdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $680,218 in Yonkers vs $501,257 in Palmdale — a 35.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Palmdale and Yonkers?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 53.4°F in Yonkers vs 63.6°F in Palmdale (10.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 32.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 51.2 in vs 7.3 in.
How does the job market in Yonkers compare to Palmdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Yonkers MSA vs $50,490 in the Palmdale 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.
How does household income compare in Palmdale vs Yonkers?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,816 in Yonkers vs $81,151 in Palmdale — a 0.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Palmdale 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 2771 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Yonkers more expensive than Palmdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Yonkers is 0.9% lower than Palmdale (112.563 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Yonkers, NY from Palmdale, CA?
The driving distance is 2771 mi and the route typically takes 49h 30m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 12 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 Palmdale.
City profiles: Palmdale, CA · Yonkers, NY.