Moving from Birmingham, AL to Yonkers, NY
Relocating 979 mi from Birmingham to Yonkers is a 18h 26m drive through 9 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
979 mi · 18h 26m by car · NY → NJ → PA → MD → WV → VA → TN → GA → AL
Distance & route
| Route through | NY → NJ → PA → MD → WV → VA → TN → GA → AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 81, US 52, I 78 |
| 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
| Birmingham | Yonkers | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.644 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.803 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.851 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Yonkers is 22.8% more expensive than Birmingham on the BEA RPP — expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $135,870 in Birmingham to $680,218 in Yonkers, a 22.8% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, Yonkers +5.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Birmingham | Yonkers |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 23°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.4" | 32.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 51.2" |
Expect 10.5°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
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: BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US, DOBBS FERRY-ARDSLEY, NY US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | Yonkers |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 209,529 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $81,816 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 39 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 19.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 2.6 |
Expect median household income to rise 22.8% — $44,376 → $81,816 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
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 Alabama 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.
- 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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Yonkers averages 32.7 in annually vs 1.4 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 (10.5°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
Is Yonkers more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Yonkers is 22.8% higher than Birmingham (112.563 vs 91.644, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Yonkers compare to Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Yonkers MSA vs $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 509,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Birmingham vs Yonkers?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,816 in Yonkers vs $44,376 in Birmingham — a 84.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Yonkers compared to Birmingham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $680,218 in Yonkers vs $135,870 in Birmingham — a 400.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Birmingham and Yonkers?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 53.4°F in Yonkers vs 63.9°F in Birmingham (10.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 32.7 in vs 1.4 in. Annual precipitation: 51.2 in vs 56.6 in.
How far is Yonkers, NY from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 979 mi and the route typically takes 18h 26m via I 81 and US 52. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Birmingham 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 979 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 Birmingham.
City profiles: Birmingham, AL · Yonkers, NY.