Moving from Yonkers, NY to Buffalo, NY
Moving from Yonkers, NY to Buffalo, NY covers 373 mi and about 7h 53m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
373 mi · 7h 53m by car · NY
Distance & route
| Route through | NY |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 86, NY 17, US 20A |
| Major cities en route | Stamford, Paterson, Newark, Jersey City, New York |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Yonkers | Buffalo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 95.844 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 129.489 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 99.693 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 80.989 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 112.563 to 95.844, putting Buffalo roughly 14.9% below Yonkers on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Buffalo: 14.9% below Yonkers on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Yonkers +5.9%, Buffalo +3.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Yonkers | Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 23°F | 19°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 80°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.7" | 95.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.2" | 40.7" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 95.4 in of snowfall annually at Buffalo.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DOBBS FERRY-ARDSLEY, NY US, BUFFALO, NY US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Yonkers | Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,529 | 276,397 |
| Median household income | $81,816 | $48,050 |
| Median age | 39 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.6% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.31 |
Median household income in Buffalo is 14.9% below Yonkers ($81,816 vs $48,050, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Buffalo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 71,050 | $45,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 46,930 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 45,050 | $36,000 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 38,950 | $82,350 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 38,910 | $40,300 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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.
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 — Buffalo averages 95.4 in annually vs 32.7 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.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Yonkers and Buffalo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 48.8°F in Buffalo vs 53.4°F in Yonkers (4.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 95.4 in vs 32.7 in. Annual precipitation: 40.7 in vs 51.2 in.
How far is Buffalo, NY from Yonkers, NY?
The driving distance is 373 mi and the route typically takes 7h 53m via I 86 and NY 17. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Buffalo compare to Yonkers?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,560 in the Buffalo MSA vs $59,390 in the Yonkers MSA, on total employment of 526,990 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Yonkers vs Buffalo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,050 in Buffalo vs $81,816 in Yonkers — a 41.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Buffalo compared to Yonkers?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $238,089 in Buffalo vs $680,218 in Yonkers — a 65.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Yonkers to Buffalo?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 373 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Buffalo more expensive than Yonkers?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Buffalo is 14.9% lower than Yonkers (95.844 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Yonkers.
City profiles: Yonkers, NY · Buffalo, NY.