Moving from Cambridge, MA to New York, NY
It is a 212 mi drive, roughly 4h 36m, between Cambridge, MA and New York, NY. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
212 mi Β· 4h 36m by car Β· NY β CT β MA
Distance & route
| Route through | NY β CT β MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, CT 15, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Newark, Jersey City, Elizabeth, Paterson, Yonkers |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cambridge | New York | 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 β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
4.0% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Cambridge -1.5%, New York +4.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cambridge | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 24.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 49.4" | 47.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 24.5 in of snowfall annually at New York.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JAMAICA PLAIN, MA US, NY AVE V BROOKLYN, NY US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cambridge | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,794 | 8,516,202 |
| Median household income | $126,469 | $79,713 |
| Median age | 30.5 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.8% | 23.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.57 |
New York households earn about 4.0% less than Cambridge at the median β $126,469 β $79,713 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in New York 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 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
- 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
- Winter gear first: New York averages 24.5 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Cambridge to New York?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 212 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is New York, NY from Cambridge, MA?
The driving distance is 212 mi and the route typically takes 4h 36m via I 90 and CT 15. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in New York compared to Cambridge?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $812,861 in New York vs $1,041,569 in Cambridge β a 22.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is New York more expensive than Cambridge?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in New York is 4.0% higher than Cambridge (112.563 vs 108.266, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Cambridge vs New York?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,713 in New York vs $126,469 in Cambridge β a 37.0% lower 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 Cambridge.
City profiles: Cambridge, MA Β· New York, NY.