Moving from Tempe, AZ to Yonkers, NY
Cross-country relocations like Tempe, AZ → Yonkers, NY cover 2439 mi and about 44h 23m of driving through 11 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2439 mi · 44h 23m by car · NY → NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → MO → OK → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | NY → NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → MO → OK → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Stamford, New York, Jersey City, Paterson, Newark |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tempe | Yonkers | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 9.0% pricier overall in Yonkers than Tempe on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Yonkers typical home at $680,218 is 9.0% above Tempe at $468,281 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Tempe -1.7%, Yonkers +5.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tempe | Yonkers |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 72°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 23°F |
| July avg high | 106°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 32.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.8" | 51.2" |
NOAA normals show Yonkers running 18.4°F below Tempe on the annual mean.
Significant snow at the destination: Yonkers sees 32.7 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TEMPE ASU, AZ US, DOBBS FERRY-ARDSLEY, NY US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tempe | Yonkers |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,419 | 209,529 |
| Median household income | $77,643 | $81,816 |
| Median age | 29.9 | 39 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 19.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.6 |
Income steps up 9.0%: $77,643 in Tempe vs $81,816 in Yonkers.
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 Arizona 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.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
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 (18.4°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 far is Yonkers, NY from Tempe, AZ?
The driving distance is 2439 mi and the route typically takes 44h 23m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Tempe vs Yonkers?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,816 in Yonkers vs $77,643 in Tempe — a 5.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Yonkers more expensive than Tempe?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Yonkers is 9.0% higher than Tempe (112.563 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Yonkers compared to Tempe?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $680,218 in Yonkers vs $468,281 in Tempe — a 45.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Tempe and Yonkers?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 53.4°F in Yonkers vs 71.8°F in Tempe (18.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 32.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 51.2 in vs 8.8 in.
When is the best time to move from Tempe 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 2439 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Yonkers compare to Tempe?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Yonkers MSA vs $48,600 in the Tempe MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tempe.
City profiles: Tempe, AZ · Yonkers, NY.