New YorkPop. 209,978Mid-size cities
Is Yonkers a Good Place to Live? Yonkers, New York: cost of living, crime, schools and rankings
Yonkers ranks #262 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #33 of 256 mid-size cities and #6 of 20 in New York. Against similar-size cities it has no measure in the top quarter and trails on long commutes (35.6 min, #247 of 256) and high living costs (112.6, #217 of 256).
Yonkers by the numbers
The measures people check first, each with Yonkers's rank among the tracked cities and the US figure (or the similar-size median where there is no national figure).
What is the cost of living in Yonkers?
Yonkers's cost of living index is 112.6, 13% above the US level of 100 and #1160 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,784/mo against $1,641/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $706,055, 34% above the typical New York home ($526,714).
| Measure | Yonkers | New YorkNY | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living indexBEA Regional Price Parities, metro area · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size 101.8 · US 100 | 112.6#1160 of 1,308 | 107.9 | 101.8 | 100 |
| Typical home valueZillow Home Value Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $439,863 · US $368,697 | $706,055#1015 of 1,187 | $526,714 | $439,863 | $368,697 |
| Typical asking rentZillow Observed Rent Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,871/mo · US $1,948/mo | $2,755/mo#977 of 1,115 | — | $1,871/mo | $1,948/mo |
| Median home value (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $405,750 | $501,600#987 of 1,309 | — | $405,750 | — |
| Median rent (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,641/mo | $1,784/mo#952 of 1,309 | — | $1,641/mo | — |
| Home value to incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 5x | 6x#1040 of 1,309 | — | 5x | — |
| Rent as a share of incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 23.9% | 25.6%#1058 of 1,309 | — | 23.9% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track (median). New York is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. Zillow figures track homes and rentals on the market now; Census figures are survey medians of all homes and leases, so the two differ.
Yonkers housing market · August
Typical home value is a monthly index of homes in the middle third of the market; the Census figures above are survey medians and will differ. Source in the data sources list below. Yonkers is in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA metro.
New York housing market →Is Yonkers safe?
Yonkers recorded 263 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, 20% below the US rate of 328 and 29% below New York's 368. That ranks #487 of 1,085 cities with data (1 = safest) and #85 of 235 mid-size cities, from a full year of reports to the FBI by Yonkers Police Department. Property crime runs 878 per 100,000 (US 1,548).
| Measure | Yonkers | New YorkNY | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crime per 100,000FBI Crime Data Explorer · rank 1 = safestSimilar-size 352 · US 328 | 263#487 of 1,085 | 368 | 352 | 328 |
| Property crime per 100,000FBI Crime Data Explorer · rank 1 = safestSimilar-size 1,730 · US 1,548 | 878#167 of 1,085 | 1,575 | 1,730 | 1,548 |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track (median). New York is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. City rates come from each police agency's report to the FBI and are not strictly comparable across agencies.
What do people earn in Yonkers?
The median household in Yonkers earns $83,549, in line with the US figure of $83,163 and 3% below New York ($85,820). Unemployment is 3.9% (US 4.3%). 13.8% of residents live below the poverty line. The population grew 0.5% in the latest year (US +0.5%).
| Measure | Yonkers | New YorkNY | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size $80,112 · US $83,163 | $83,549#556 of 1,312 | $85,820 | $80,112 | $83,163 |
| Unemployment rateBLS LAUS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 4.2% · US 4.3% | 3.9%#434 of 1,058 | 4.3% | 4.2% | 4.3% |
| Poverty rateCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 12.6% | 13.8%#789 of 1,312 | — | 12.6% | — |
| Population growth, one yearCensus population estimates · rank 1 = fastestSimilar-size +0.3% · US +0.5% | +0.5%#391 of 1,132 | +0% | +0.3% | +0.5% |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track (median). New York is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure.
Who lives in Yonkers?
The median resident of Yonkers is 39.9 years old, against 36.7 in similar-size cities. 35.7% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #588 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 46.2% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
| Measure | Yonkers | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median ageCensus ACSSimilar-size 36.7 | 39.9 | 36.7 | — |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 34% | 35.7%#588 of 1,312 | 34% | — |
| Homes lived in by their ownerCensus ACSSimilar-size 56.7% | 46.2% | 56.7% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
How are Yonkers's schools and health?
Yonkers's 40 public schools graduate 88% of students in four years (New York 86.7%), with 16.8 students per teacher and $27,344 spent per pupil. 29.3% of adults are obese and 12.4% have diabetes, against similar-size city medians of 33.3% and 11.5%.
| Measure | Yonkers | New YorkNY | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High school graduation rateDepartment of Education EDFacts · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 88% | 88%#518 of 1,063 | 86.7% | 88% | — |
| Students per teacherNCES Common Core of Data · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 17.4 | 16.8#712 of 1,188 | — | 17.4 | — |
| Spending per pupilNCES school finance survey · rank 1 = mostSimilar-size $14,993 | $27,344#28 of 1,188 | — | $14,993 | — |
| Adult obesityCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 33.3% | 29.3%#355 of 1,311 | — | 33.3% | — |
| Adult diabetesCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11.5% | 12.4%#854 of 1,311 | — | 11.5% | — |
| Adults with frequent mental distressCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 17.5% | 15.2%#289 of 1,311 | — | 17.5% | — |
| Adults without health insuranceCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11.1% | 12.7%#928 of 1,311 | — | 11.1% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track (median). New York is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. 24,393 students are enrolled in Yonkers's public schools.
What are the commute and weather like in Yonkers?
The average commute in Yonkers is 35.6 minutes (New York 33.2); 23.1% of workers take transit and 11.6% work from home. On the EPA's walkability index Yonkers scores 13.8 of 20 (above average walkable), #187 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). Summers average 72.8°F and winters 33.9°F, with 51.2 inches of precipitation a year.
| Measure | Yonkers | New YorkNY | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commuteCensus ACS · rank 1 = shortestSimilar-size 24.6 min | 35.6 min#1273 of 1,312 | 33.2 min | 24.6 min | — |
| Commutes of an hour or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 6% | 20.4%#1284 of 1,312 | 17.2% | 6% | — |
| Drive alone to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 70.7% | 49.2% | 48.7% | 70.7% | — |
| Take transit to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 1.1% | 23.1% | 24.2% | 1.1% | — |
| Walk to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 1.6% | 4.2% | 5.8% | 1.6% | — |
| Bike to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.9% | 0.3% | — |
| Work from homeCensus ACSSimilar-size 13.3% | 11.6% | 11.8% | 13.3% | — |
| Walkability index (1 to 20)EPA National Walkability Index · rank 1 = most walkableSimilar-size 11.6 | 13.8#187 of 1,312 | — | 11.6 | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track (median). New York is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. The walkability index is the EPA's, averaged over the city's neighborhoods by population.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Precipitation (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 39.8 | 23.1 | 3.9 |
| Feb | 42.9 | 24.5 | 3.3 |
| Mar | 50.7 | 31 | 4.4 |
| Apr | 62.8 | 40.1 | 4.3 |
| May | 73 | 49.5 | 4.3 |
| Jun | 80.8 | 58.8 | 4.6 |
| Jul | 85.6 | 64.4 | 4.5 |
| Aug | 83.9 | 63.2 | 4.4 |
| Sep | 76.9 | 56.1 | 4.6 |
| Oct | 65.4 | 45.1 | 4.4 |
| Nov | 54.4 | 36 | 3.9 |
| Dec | 44.5 | 28.6 | 4.7 |
Top: average low to average high, °F. Bottom: precipitation, inches. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Dobbs Ferry-Ardsley.
| Measure | Yonkers | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 62.1°F | 53.4°F | 62.1°F | — |
| Summer average (Jun–Aug)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 76.9°F | 72.8°F | 76.9°F | — |
| Winter average (Dec–Feb)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 47.7°F | 33.9°F | 47.7°F | — |
| Precipitation a yearNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 36.8 in | 51.2 in | 36.8 in | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Dobbs Ferry-Ardsley.
What are the air quality and natural hazard risks in Yonkers?
Westchester County's air had a median air quality index of 38, and 83% of measured days were rated good; 6 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from ozone. Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Westchester County's biggest natural hazard losses in hurricane, earthquake, and coastal flooding, with expected yearly losses of 0.09% of building value, lower than 91% of US counties.
| Measure | Yonkers | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median air quality index (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = cleanestSimilar-size 46 | 38#228 of 1,138 | 46 | — |
| Unhealthy air days a year (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 4 | 6#761 of 1,138 | 4 | — |
| Yearly hazard losses, share of building value (county)FEMA National Risk Index · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 0.16% | 0.09%#143 of 1,312 | 0.16% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. County figures for Westchester County: the EPA measures air at monitors and FEMA estimates hazard losses by county, not by city.
Natural hazard losses, Westchester County
| Hazard | Yearly loss | Higher than |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane | 0.0071% | 71% of counties |
| Earthquake | 0.0052% | 67% of counties |
| Coastal flooding | 0.001% | 54% of counties |
| Inland flooding | 0.067% | 31% of counties |
FEMA National Risk Index: expected yearly building losses from each hazard as a share of the county's building value, compared with every US county exposed to that hazard. Loss rates, unlike FEMA's risk ratings, do not rise just because a county has more property.
How does Yonkers compare with similar-size cities?
Yonkers is one of 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track and ranks #33 of them on overall score. The table sets it beside the 8 cities in other states closest to its population of 209,978.
| City | Rank | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime | Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yonkers, NYPop. 209,978 | #262 | 62.9 | $83,549 | $1,784/mo | 263 | 35.6 min |
| Cape Coral, FLPop. 215,536 | #967 | 50.6 | $78,104 | $1,858/mo | part year | 29.9 min |
| Des Moines, IAPop. 212,421 | #879 | 52.0 | $65,932 | $1,090/mo | 642 | 19.5 min |
| Moreno Valley, CAPop. 211,666 | #1043 | 49.1 | $93,222 | $2,135/mo | 300 | 35.5 min |
| Fayetteville, NCPop. 210,815 | #1144 | 46.8 | $58,407 | $1,250/mo | 614 | 19.1 min |
| McKinney, TXPop. 210,600 | #170 | 65.3 | $124,215 | $1,901/mo | 115 | 27.8 min |
| Salt Lake City, UTPop. 208,007 | #1011 | 49.8 | $75,090 | $1,414/mo | 862 | 19.5 min |
| Worcester, MAPop. 207,055 | #635 | 56.0 | $70,102 | $1,487/mo | 602 | 24.1 min |
| Columbus, GAPop. 203,711 | #917 | 51.4 | $58,073 | $1,106/mo | 366 | 20.9 min |
Rank is overall rank of 1,312. Income is median household income; rent is Census median rent; violent crime is per 100,000 residents as reported to the FBI ("no data" and "incomplete" are explained on each city's page).
How does Yonkers compare with the rest of New York?
Yonkers ranks #6 of the 20 New York cities we track, with a score of 62.9 against New York's statewide 54.9. Its households earn 3% below the New York median. Violent crime is 29% below the statewide rate. Homes are 34% above the typical New York home.
| City | Rank in NY | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Levittown, NYPop. 51,904 | #1 | 74.8 | $146,068 | $2,656/mo | no data |
| White Plains, NYPop. 60,666 | #2 | 70.8 | $110,763 | $2,269/mo | 115 |
| New Rochelle, NYPop. 82,769 | #3 | 67.5 | $109,167 | $1,917/mo | 154 |
| Tonawanda Town, NYPop. 56,806 | #4 | 65.4 | $77,679 | $1,102/mo | 140 |
| West Seneca, NYPop. 45,303 | #5 | 63.7 | $79,709 | $1,106/mo | no data |
| Yonkers, NYPop. 209,978 | #6 | 62.9 | $83,549 | $1,784/mo | 263 |
| Irondequoit, NYPop. 50,657 | #7 | 62.0 | $79,162 | $1,159/mo | no data |
| Cheektowaga, NYPop. 76,056 | #8 | 60.9 | $68,613 | $1,055/mo | no data |
| Troy, NYPop. 51,033 | #9 | 58.6 | $58,477 | $1,175/mo | 345 |
| Mount Vernon, NYPop. 72,427 | #10 | 57.3 | $78,779 | $1,629/mo | 496 |
| Hempstead, NYPop. 58,801 | #11 | 55.3 | $90,420 | $1,622/mo | no data |
| Albany, NYPop. 100,492 | #12 | 54.9 | $61,986 | $1,216/mo | 832 |
| New York, NYPop. 8,483,844 | #13 | 54.8 | $80,483 | $1,821/mo | 660 |
| Schenectady, NYPop. 68,847 | #14 | 51.6 | $58,399 | $1,145/mo | 705 |
| Utica, NYPop. 64,217 | #15 | 50.7 | $52,484 | $951/mo | 455 |
| Rochester, NYPop. 208,772 | #16 | 50.3 | $47,213 | $1,081/mo | 572 |
| Syracuse, NYPop. 146,384 | #17 | 49.8 | $47,819 | $1,039/mo | 612 |
| Binghamton, NYPop. 47,151 | #18 | 49.3 | $45,578 | $870/mo | 559 |
| Buffalo, NYPop. 276,854 | #19 | 48.8 | $50,041 | $1,046/mo | 729 |
| Niagara Falls, NYPop. 47,987 | #20 | 47.4 | $49,101 | $823/mo | 478 |
All 20 New York cities we track, by overall score. New York statewide: median income $85,820, violent crime 368.4 per 100,000.
How is Yonkers's score calculated?
Yonkers scores 62.9 out of 100, #262 of 1,312 (grade A, which follows rank). It is scored on the 10 of 11 categories with local data; outdoor access is left out rather than filled with New York's statewide figure, and the other weights are scaled up to fill the gap. Each score is compared with the median of similar-size cities, which are scored the same way.
- EconomyCity data · 16% of score
Median household income and unemployment in Yonkers. Similar-size median 52.9.
57.0 - SafetyCity data · 13% of score
Violent and property crime per 100,000 residents, as reported to the FBI by Yonkers's police agency. Similar-size median 70.6.
83.8 - HealthCity data · 13% of score
Adult obesity, diabetes and frequent mental distress in Yonkers. Similar-size median 53.8.
62.4 - EducationCity data · 13% of score
Graduation rate, students per teacher and spending per pupil in Yonkers's public schools. Similar-size median 52.1.
75.1 - AffordabilityCity data · 11% of score
Yonkers's home values and rents and its metro area's price level. Similar-size median 59.1.
47.6 - Household financesCity data · 9% of score
Median household income and poverty rate in Yonkers. Similar-size median 51.2.
51.1 - GrowthCity data · 7% of score
Population growth and unemployment in Yonkers. Similar-size median 42.1.
46.5 - TransportationCity data · 7% of score
Commute time, long commutes, driving alone, transit, walking, cycling and working from home in Yonkers. Similar-size median 50.1.
58.7 - WalkabilityCity data · 7% of score
The EPA's walkability index across Yonkers's neighborhoods. Similar-size median 56.1.
67.4 - EnvironmentCounty data · 4% of score
Air quality and natural hazard losses in the county. Similar-size median 45.9.
77.5 - Outdoor accessNot scored
No city-level park or public land measure exists, so outdoor access is not scored for cities.
—
Bar: Yonkers's category score out of 100. Tick: median of the 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track. Shares of score are the category weights rescaled over the categories Yonkers has data for. City scores use city formulas and are not on the same scale as state scores. Grades follow rank among the 1,312 cities. Methodology
Frequently asked questions about living in Yonkers
Is Yonkers, NY a good place to live?
Yonkers ranks #262 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #33 of 256 mid-size cities and #6 of 20 in New York. Against similar-size cities it has no measure in the top quarter and trails on long commutes (35.6 min, #247 of 256) and high living costs (112.6, #217 of 256).
What is the cost of living in Yonkers?
Yonkers's cost of living index is 112.6, 13% above the US level of 100 and #1160 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,784/mo against $1,641/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $706,055, 34% above the typical New York home ($526,714).
What is the crime rate in Yonkers?
Yonkers recorded 263 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, 20% below the US rate of 328 and 29% below New York's 368. That ranks #487 of 1,085 cities with data (1 = safest) and #85 of 235 mid-size cities, from a full year of reports to the FBI by Yonkers Police Department. Property crime runs 878 per 100,000 (US 1,548).
What is the median household income in Yonkers?
The median household in Yonkers earns $83,549, in line with the US figure of $83,163 and 3% below New York ($85,820). Unemployment is 3.9% (US 4.3%). 13.8% of residents live below the poverty line. The population grew 0.5% in the latest year (US +0.5%).
How much is rent in Yonkers?
Median rent in Yonkers is $1,784/mo (Census), #952 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest). The typical asking rent for a unit on the market now is $2,755/mo, against $1,948/mo nationally. Median rent takes 25.6% of the median household's income.
How much does a house cost in Yonkers?
The typical home value in Yonkers is $706,055, up 7% in a year, against $526,714 for New York and $368,697 nationally. The Census median value of owner-occupied homes is $501,600.
How are the public schools in Yonkers?
Yonkers's 40 public schools graduate 88% of students in four years (New York 86.7%), with 16.8 students per teacher and $27,344 spent per pupil.
How long is the commute in Yonkers?
The average commute is 35.6 minutes, #1273 of 1,312 cities (1 = shortest), against 33.2 minutes across New York. 20.4% of workers spend an hour or more getting to work.
What is the weather like in Yonkers?
Yonkers averages 53.4°F over the year, 72.8°F in summer and 33.9°F in winter, with 51.2 inches of precipitation. Figures are NOAA climate normals.
Is Yonkers walkable?
Yonkers scores 13.8 out of 20 on the EPA's National Walkability Index (above average walkable), #187 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). The index weighs street intersection density, distance to transit and the mix of homes and jobs in each neighborhood.
What natural disasters is Yonkers at risk for?
Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Westchester County's biggest natural hazard losses in hurricane, earthquake, and coastal flooding, with expected yearly losses of 0.09% of building value, lower than 91% of US counties.
How is the air quality in Yonkers?
Westchester County's air had a median air quality index of 38, and 83% of measured days were rated good; 6 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from ozone.
Who lives in Yonkers?
Yonkers has 209,978 residents. The median resident of Yonkers is 39.9 years old, against 36.7 in similar-size cities. 35.7% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #588 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 46.2% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
How does Yonkers compare with the rest of New York?
Yonkers ranks #6 of the 20 New York cities we track, with a score of 62.9 against New York's statewide 54.9. Its households earn 3% below the New York median. Violent crime is 29% below the statewide rate. Homes are 34% above the typical New York home.
What cities are similar in size to Yonkers?
The tracked cities in other states closest to Yonkers's population of 209,978 are Cape Coral, FL (#967 overall), Des Moines, IA (#879 overall), Moreno Valley, CA (#1043 overall), Fayetteville, NC (#1144 overall), and McKinney, TX (#170 overall). Yonkers is #262.