Moving from Downey, CA to Yonkers, NY
Cross-country relocations like Downey, CA β Yonkers, NY cover 2802 mi and about 49h 54m of driving through 13 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.
2802 mi Β· 49h 54m by car Β· NY β NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NY β NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 80 EXPRESS |
| Major cities en route | Stamford, New York, Jersey City, Newark, Paterson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Downey | Yonkers | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Yonkers and Downey is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Yonkers is 0.9% below Downey β $888,710 vs $680,218 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Downey +1.2%, Yonkers +5.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Downey | Yonkers |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 23Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 32.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 51.2" |
Climate cools by 11.5Β°F on the annual average β 64.9Β°F β 53.4Β°F.
Yonkers averages 32.7 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, DOBBS FERRY-ARDSLEY, NY US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Downey | Yonkers |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,793 | 209,529 |
| Median household income | $87,400 | $81,816 |
| Median age | 37 | 39 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 19.6% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.6 |
Income steps down 0.9%: $87,400 in Downey vs $81,816 in Yonkers.
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 California 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.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 β 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 β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (11.5Β°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 Downey?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Yonkers is 0.9% lower than Downey (112.563 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Downey to Yonkers?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2802 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Yonkers compare to Downey?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Yonkers MSA vs $50,490 in the Downey MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Yonkers, NY from Downey, CA?
The driving distance is 2802 mi and the route typically takes 49h 54m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 13 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Yonkers compared to Downey?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $680,218 in Yonkers vs $888,710 in Downey β a 23.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Downey vs Yonkers?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,816 in Yonkers vs $87,400 in Downey β a 6.4% 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 Downey.
City profiles: Downey, CA Β· Yonkers, NY.