Moving from San Mateo, CA to Yonkers, NY
A 2935 mi cross-country move between San Mateo and Yonkers is 51h 42m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 12 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2935 mi Β· 51h 42m by car Β· NY β NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NY β NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 90 |
| 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
| San Mateo | Yonkers | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
San Mateo and Yonkers sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,686,905 in San Mateo to $680,218 in Yonkers, a 2.6% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, Yonkers +5.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | Yonkers |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 23Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 32.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | 51.2" |
Annual temperature drops 5.3Β°F moving to Yonkers per NOAA normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Yonkers sees 32.7 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, DOBBS FERRY-ARDSLEY, NY US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | Yonkers |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 209,529 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $81,816 |
| Median age | 38 | 39 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 19.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.6 |
Yonkers households earn about 2.6% less than San Mateo at the median β $152,669 β $81,816 on ACS 2023.
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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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 β check 511NY.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 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
- Winter gear first: Yonkers averages 32.7 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Pack rain gear on top: Yonkers averages 51.2 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 far is Yonkers, NY from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance is 2935 mi and the route typically takes 51h 42m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from San Mateo to Yonkers?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2935 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Yonkers more expensive than San Mateo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Yonkers is 2.6% lower than San Mateo (112.563 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Yonkers compare to San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Yonkers MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in San Mateo vs Yonkers?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,816 in Yonkers vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 46.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Yonkers compared to San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $680,218 in Yonkers vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 59.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Mateo.
City profiles: San Mateo, CA Β· Yonkers, NY.