Moving from Yonkers, NY to Seattle, WA
Cross-country relocations like Yonkers, NY → Seattle, WA cover 2845 mi and about 50h 50m of driving through 13 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.
2845 mi · 50h 50m by car · WA → ID → MT → WY → SD → MN → WI → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ → NY
Distance & route
| Route through | WA → ID → MT → WY → SD → MN → WI → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ → NY |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Tacoma, Everett, Bellevue, Kent, Renton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Yonkers | Seattle | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 111.133 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 92.814 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 103.972 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 151.314 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Yonkers (112.563) and Seattle (111.133) 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 Seattle: 1.3% above Yonkers on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Yonkers +5.9%, Seattle -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Yonkers | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 23°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 77°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.7" | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.2" | 37.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Seattle gets around 3.8 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DOBBS FERRY-ARDSLEY, NY US, SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Yonkers | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,529 | 741,440 |
| Median household income | $81,816 | $121,984 |
| Median age | 39 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.6% | 37.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.1 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 1.3% between Yonkers and Seattle (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Seattle MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 225,240 | $54,470 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 197,190 | $97,870 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 190,190 | $48,950 |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 171,820 | $140,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,750 | $40,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New York and Washington
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Washington'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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March — check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms — check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards — check SD 511 November through April.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms — check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin — check 511wi.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- 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
- Wildfire season east of the Cascades peaks July through September; earthquake preparedness is standard west of the mountains.
- 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 Washington after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Seattle, WA from Yonkers, NY?
The driving distance is 2845 mi and the route typically takes 50h 50m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 13 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Seattle compare to Yonkers?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,260 in the Seattle MSA vs $59,390 in the Yonkers MSA, on total employment of 2,079,090 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Seattle compared to Yonkers?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $868,680 in Seattle vs $680,218 in Yonkers — a 27.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Yonkers and Seattle?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 53.2°F in Seattle vs 53.4°F in Yonkers (0.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 3.8 in vs 32.7 in. Annual precipitation: 37.8 in vs 51.2 in.
When is the best time to move from Yonkers to Seattle?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2845 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Seattle more expensive than Yonkers?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Seattle is 1.3% lower than Yonkers (111.133 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Yonkers vs Seattle?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $121,984 in Seattle vs $81,816 in Yonkers — a 49.1% higher 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 Yonkers.
City profiles: Yonkers, NY · Seattle, WA.