Moving from Yonkers, NY to Pasadena, CA
It is 2793 mi and 49h 45m from Yonkers to Pasadena — a cross-country move across 13 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2793 mi · 49h 45m by car · NY → NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NY → NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → CO → UT → AZ → NV → 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
| Yonkers | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 112.563 vs 113.566 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 roughly 0.9% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $680,218 to $1,209,228 moving to Pasadena.
YoY change: Yonkers +5.9%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Yonkers | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 23°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.2" | 20.1" |
Expect 12.6°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Pasadena gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DOBBS FERRY-ARDSLEY, NY US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Yonkers | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,529 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $81,816 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 39 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.6% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.39 |
Expect median household income to rise 0.9% — $81,816 → $103,778 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Pasadena MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New York and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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.
- 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.
- 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
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.6°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Pasadena more expensive than Yonkers?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 0.9% higher than Yonkers (113.566 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Yonkers to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2793 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Yonkers?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA vs $59,390 in the Yonkers MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Yonkers?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $680,218 in Yonkers — a 77.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Yonkers and Pasadena?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in Pasadena vs 53.4°F in Yonkers (12.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 32.7 in. Annual precipitation: 20.1 in vs 51.2 in.
How does household income compare in Yonkers vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $81,816 in Yonkers — a 26.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Pasadena, CA from Yonkers, NY?
The driving distance is 2793 mi and the route typically takes 49h 45m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 13 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Yonkers.
City profiles: Yonkers, NY · Pasadena, CA.