Moving from Springfield, MA to New York, NY

Moving from Springfield, MA to New York, NY covers 145 mi and about 3h 17m by car through 3 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β€” the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.

145 mi Β· 3h 17m by car Β· NY β†’ CT β†’ MA

COL +17.2% Home values +175.9% Ξ” +6.1Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
145 mi
Drive time
3h 17m
States
3
Fuel (25 mpg)
6 gal
Route throughNY β†’ CT β†’ MA
Primary highwaysI 91, I 95, CT 15
Major cities en routeNewark, Jersey City, Elizabeth, Paterson, Yonkers

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

SpringfieldNew YorkU.S. avg
All items (RPP)96.061112.563100.0
Rents154.996127.018100.0
Goods97.015110.261100.0
Services75.781148.616100.0

Moderate COL step-up: 17.2% pricier overall in New York than Springfield on the 2024 BEA RPP.

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Springfield β€” typical home
$294,613
New York β€” typical home
$812,861
Springfield β€” typical rent
$1,722/mo
New York β€” typical rent
$3,811/mo

Housing gap is large: New York typical home at $812,861 is 17.2% above Springfield at $294,613 (Zillow, 2026-03).

YoY change: Springfield +3.5%, New York +4.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsSpringfieldNew York
Annual avg temperature49Β°F56Β°F
January avg low16Β°F28Β°F
July avg high85Β°F85Β°F
Annual snowfallβ€”24.5"
Annual precipitation45.2"47.1"

New York runs 6.1Β°F warmer on the annual average (49.4Β°F vs 55.5Β°F, NOAA 1991–2020).

Significant snow at the destination: New York sees 24.5 in a year on NOAA normals β€” budget for winter gear and plowing.

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WESTFIELD BARNES MUNI AP, MA US, NY AVE V BROOKLYN, NY US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023SpringfieldNew York
Population154,7518,516,202
Median household income$51,339$79,713
Median age33.738
Bachelor's degree or higher10.8%23.6%
Avg household size2.672.57

Median household income in New York is 17.2% above Springfield ($51,339 vs $79,713, ACS 5-year 2023).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Springfield MSA β€” median wage
β€”
New York MSA β€” median wage
$59,390
Springfield MSA β€” employment
β€”
New York MSA β€” employment
9,495,240

Top occupations in New York MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian 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 Massachusetts and New York

Massachusetts income tax
9% top marginal
New York income tax
10.9% top marginal

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 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 β€” check 511NY.

State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.

Packing & arrival checklist

  • Winter gear first: New York averages 24.5 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β€” pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
  • 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 Springfield vs New York?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,713 in New York vs $51,339 in Springfield β€” a 55.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

When is the best time to move from Springfield 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 145 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β€” see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.

Is New York more expensive than Springfield?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in New York is 17.2% higher than Springfield (112.563 vs 96.061, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

How much do homes cost in New York compared to Springfield?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $812,861 in New York vs $294,613 in Springfield β€” a 175.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

How far is New York, NY from Springfield, MA?

The driving distance is 145 mi and the route typically takes 3h 17m via I 91 and I 95. The trip crosses 3 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 Springfield.

City profiles: Springfield, MA Β· New York, NY.

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