Moving from Yonkers, NY to Tacoma, WA
A 2858 mi cross-country move between Yonkers and Tacoma is 51h 7m 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.
2858 mi Β· 51h 7m by car Β· WA β ID β MT β SD β MN β WI β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ β NY
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β ID β MT β SD β MN β WI β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ β NY |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Kent, Renton, Seattle, Bellevue, Spokane |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Yonkers | Tacoma | 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 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
1.3% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Yonkers +5.9%, Tacoma -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Yonkers | Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 54Β°F |
| January avg low | 23Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.7" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 51.2" | 40.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DOBBS FERRY-ARDSLEY, NY US, TACOMA #1, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Yonkers | Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,529 | 220,482 |
| Median household income | $81,816 | $83,857 |
| Median age | 39 | 37.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.6% | 21% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.41 |
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 Tacoma 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 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β 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 β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β 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 β 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 does household income compare in Yonkers vs Tacoma?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,857 in Tacoma vs $81,816 in Yonkers β a 2.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Tacoma compare to Yonkers?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,260 in the Tacoma 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.
Is Tacoma more expensive than Yonkers?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tacoma 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 much do homes cost in Tacoma compared to Yonkers?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $493,840 in Tacoma vs $680,218 in Yonkers β a 27.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Tacoma, WA from Yonkers, NY?
The driving distance is 2858 mi and the route typically takes 51h 7m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Yonkers to Tacoma?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2858 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Yonkers.
City profiles: Yonkers, NY Β· Tacoma, WA.