Moving from Boston, MA to Yonkers, NY
It is a 198 mi drive, roughly 4h 13m, between Boston, MA and Yonkers, NY. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
198 mi · 4h 13m by car · MA → CT → NY
Distance & route
| Route through | MA → CT → NY |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CT 15, I 90, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Brockton, Cambridge, Lowell, Providence, Worcester |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Boston | Yonkers | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.266 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.768 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.651 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.424 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 4.0% under Boston — $798,217 → $680,218 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Boston -0.4%, Yonkers +5.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Boston | Yonkers |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 23°F | 23°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.2" | 32.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.6" | 51.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 32.7 in of snowfall annually at Yonkers.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BOSTON LOGAN INTL AP, MA US, DOBBS FERRY-ARDSLEY, NY US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boston | Yonkers |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 209,529 |
| Median household income | $94,755 | $81,816 |
| Median age | 33.2 | 39 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.5% | 19.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.6 |
Households in Yonkers earn about 4.0% less at the median — ACS 5-year 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 Massachusetts 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Yonkers averages 32.7 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Pack rain gear on top: Yonkers averages 51.2 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 does household income compare in Boston vs Yonkers?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,816 in Yonkers vs $94,755 in Boston — a 13.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Boston and Yonkers?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 53.4°F in Yonkers vs 51.9°F in Boston (1.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 32.7 in vs 49.2 in. Annual precipitation: 51.2 in vs 43.6 in.
When is the best time to move from Boston 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 198 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Yonkers, NY from Boston, MA?
The driving distance is 198 mi and the route typically takes 4h 13m via CT 15 and I 90. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Yonkers compared to Boston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $680,218 in Yonkers vs $798,217 in Boston — a 14.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Yonkers more expensive than Boston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Yonkers is 4.0% higher than Boston (112.563 vs 108.266, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Boston.
City profiles: Boston, MA · Yonkers, NY.