Moving from Yonkers, NY to Tempe, AZ
Cross-country relocations like Yonkers, NY → Tempe, AZ cover 2439 mi and about 44h 23m of driving through 11 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2439 mi · 44h 23m by car · NY → NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → MO → OK → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | NY → NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → MO → OK → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, I 70 |
| 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 | Tempe | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Tempe is 8.2% cheaper than Yonkers overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Tempe is 8.2% below Yonkers — $680,218 vs $468,281 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Yonkers +5.9%, Tempe -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Yonkers | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 72°F |
| January avg low | 23°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 106°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.2" | 8.8" |
Tempe runs 18.4°F warmer on the annual average (53.4°F vs 71.8°F) — a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
Tempe 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, TEMPE ASU, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Yonkers | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,529 | 186,419 |
| Median household income | $81,816 | $77,643 |
| Median age | 39 | 29.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.6% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.42 |
Income steps down 8.2%: $81,816 in Yonkers vs $77,643 in Tempe.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tempe MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New York and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Tempe average 106°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Tempe sees only 8.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (18.4°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Tempe compared to Yonkers?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $468,281 in Tempe vs $680,218 in Yonkers — a 31.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Yonkers to Tempe?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2439 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Tempe compare to Yonkers?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Tempe MSA vs $59,390 in the Yonkers MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 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 Tempe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,643 in Tempe vs $81,816 in Yonkers — a 5.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Tempe more expensive than Yonkers?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tempe is 8.2% lower than Yonkers (103.316 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Yonkers and Tempe?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.8°F in Tempe vs 53.4°F in Yonkers (18.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 32.7 in. Annual precipitation: 8.8 in vs 51.2 in.
How far is Tempe, AZ from Yonkers, NY?
The driving distance is 2439 mi and the route typically takes 44h 23m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 11 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 · Tempe, AZ.