Moving from Irvine, CA to Yonkers, NY
A 2799 mi cross-country move between Irvine and Yonkers is 50h 1m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 13 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2799 mi · 50h 1m by car · CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ → NY
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ → NY |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Orange |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Irvine | 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 |
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
0.9% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Irvine -0.8%, Yonkers +5.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Irvine | Yonkers |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 23°F |
| July avg high | 85°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 32.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.1" | 51.2" |
Annual temperature drops 11.5°F moving to Yonkers per NOAA normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 32.7 in of snowfall annually at Yonkers.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TUSTIN IRVINE RCH, CA US, DOBBS FERRY-ARDSLEY, NY US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Irvine | Yonkers |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 209,529 |
| Median household income | $129,647 | $81,816 |
| Median age | 33.9 | 39 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 39.4% | 19.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.6 |
Yonkers households earn about 0.9% less than Irvine at the median — $129,647 → $81,816 on ACS 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 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 — 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter 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 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- 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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Yonkers averages 32.7 in annually vs 0.0 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 (11.5°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
When is the best time to move from Irvine 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 2799 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Yonkers compare to Irvine?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Yonkers MSA vs $50,490 in the Irvine 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.
Is Yonkers more expensive than Irvine?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Yonkers is 0.9% lower than Irvine (112.563 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Yonkers compared to Irvine?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $680,218 in Yonkers vs $1,557,982 in Irvine — a 56.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Irvine and Yonkers?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 53.4°F in Yonkers vs 64.9°F in Irvine (11.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 32.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 51.2 in vs 14.1 in.
How far is Yonkers, NY from Irvine, CA?
The driving distance is 2799 mi and the route typically takes 50h 1m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 13 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Irvine vs Yonkers?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,816 in Yonkers vs $129,647 in Irvine — a 36.9% 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 Irvine.
City profiles: Irvine, CA · Yonkers, NY.