Moving from Yonkers, NY to Waco, TX
Cross-country relocations like Yonkers, NY → Waco, TX cover 1664 mi and about 30h 25m of driving through 9 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.
1664 mi · 30h 25m by car · NY → NJ → PA → MD → WV → VA → TN → AR → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | NY → NJ → PA → MD → WV → VA → TN → AR → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Stamford, Paterson, New York, Newark, Jersey City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Yonkers | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 112.563 to 92.55, putting Waco roughly 17.8% below Yonkers on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Waco: 17.8% below Yonkers on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Yonkers +5.9%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Yonkers | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 23°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.2" | 37.5" |
Climate warms by 13.2°F on the annual average — 53.4°F → 66.6°F.
Effectively snow-free year in Waco — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DOBBS FERRY-ARDSLEY, NY US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Yonkers | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,529 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $81,816 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 39 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.6% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.68 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 17.8% between Yonkers and Waco (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Waco MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,230 | $37,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 11,590 | $27,240 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 10,990 | $34,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 10,750 | $35,750 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 10,020 | $58,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New York and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Waco average 95°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (13.2°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Yonkers vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $81,816 in Yonkers — a 37.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Waco, TX from Yonkers, NY?
The driving distance is 1664 mi and the route typically takes 30h 25m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Waco more expensive than Yonkers?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 17.8% lower than Yonkers (92.55 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Yonkers?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $680,218 in Yonkers — a 71.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Waco compare to Yonkers?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $59,390 in the Yonkers MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Yonkers and Waco?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Waco vs 53.4°F in Yonkers (13.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 32.7 in. Annual precipitation: 37.5 in vs 51.2 in.
When is the best time to move from Yonkers to Waco?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1664 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 · Waco, TX.