Moving from Yonkers, NY to Aurora, IL
It is 838 mi between Yonkers and Aurora — roughly 15h 47m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
838 mi · 15h 47m by car · NY → NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | NY → NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 294 |
| Major cities en route | Stamford, New York, Jersey City, Paterson, Newark |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Yonkers | Aurora | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 8.0% moving from Yonkers to Aurora — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $680,218 in Yonkers to $316,958 in Aurora, a 8.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Yonkers +5.9%, Aurora +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Yonkers | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 23°F | 16°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.7" | 27.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.2" | 39.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 53.4°F vs 50.2°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Aurora sees 27.9 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DOBBS FERRY-ARDSLEY, NY US, AURORA, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Yonkers | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,529 | 179,867 |
| Median household income | $81,816 | $90,109 |
| Median age | 39 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.6% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.98 |
Households in Aurora earn about 8.0% more at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Aurora MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 519,810 | $46,540 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 497,550 | $41,020 |
| Management Occupations | 405,130 | $125,280 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 386,070 | $38,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 368,000 | $33,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New York and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Aurora averages 27.9 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — 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 Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Aurora compare to Yonkers?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Aurora MSA vs $59,390 in the Yonkers MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Aurora more expensive than Yonkers?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Aurora is 8.0% lower than Yonkers (103.595 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Aurora, IL from Yonkers, NY?
The driving distance is 838 mi and the route typically takes 15h 47m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Yonkers and Aurora?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.2°F in Aurora vs 53.4°F in Yonkers (3.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 27.9 in vs 32.7 in. Annual precipitation: 39.5 in vs 51.2 in.
How does household income compare in Yonkers vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,109 in Aurora vs $81,816 in Yonkers — a 10.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Aurora compared to Yonkers?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $316,958 in Aurora vs $680,218 in Yonkers — a 53.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Yonkers to Aurora?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 838 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Yonkers.
City profiles: Yonkers, NY · Aurora, IL.