Moving from Seattle, WA to New York, NY
A 2867 mi cross-country move between Seattle and New York is 51h 2m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 12 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.
2867 mi · 51h 2m by car · NY → NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → WI → MN → ND → MT → ID → WA
Distance & route
| Route through | NY → NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → WI → MN → ND → MT → ID → WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 94, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Newark, Jersey City, Elizabeth, Yonkers, Paterson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Seattle | New York | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 111.133 vs 112.563 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 1.3% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Seattle -2.3%, New York +4.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Seattle | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 85°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 24.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 47.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Seattle (53.2°F) and New York (55.5°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
New York averages 24.5 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, NY AVE V BROOKLYN, NY US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Seattle | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 8,516,202 |
| Median household income | $121,984 | $79,713 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.6% | 23.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.1 | 2.57 |
New York households earn about 1.3% less than Seattle at the median — $121,984 → $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 Washington 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.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin — check 511wi.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms — check MnDOT 511.
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms — check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March — check WSDOT mountain passes report.
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 — New York averages 24.5 in annually vs 3.8 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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 Seattle to New York?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2867 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in New York compared to Seattle?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $812,861 in New York vs $868,680 in Seattle — a 6.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Seattle vs New York?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,713 in New York vs $121,984 in Seattle — a 34.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Seattle and New York?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.5°F in New York vs 53.2°F in Seattle (2.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 24.5 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 47.1 in vs 37.8 in.
How far is New York, NY from Seattle, WA?
The driving distance is 2867 mi and the route typically takes 51h 2m via I 90 and I 94. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is New York more expensive than Seattle?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in New York is 1.3% higher than Seattle (112.563 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in New York compare to Seattle?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the New York MSA vs $65,260 in the Seattle MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Seattle.
City profiles: Seattle, WA · New York, NY.