Moving from Boulder, CO to Downey, CA
Relocating 1027 mi from Boulder to Downey is a 18h 11m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1027 mi Β· 18h 11m by car Β· CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Torrance |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Boulder | Downey | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.202 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.741 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 157.02 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 8.0% above Boulder β 105.202 β 113.566 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 8.0% under Boulder β $964,531 β $888,710 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Boulder -2.0%, Downey +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Boulder | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 92.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 21.2" | 12.0" |
Expect 13.4Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BOULDER, CO US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boulder | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 111,793 |
| Median household income | $85,364 | $87,400 |
| Median age | 28.8 | 37 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.9% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 3.22 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Downey 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 Colorado 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains 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.
- 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.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Downey sees only 12.0 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 (13.4Β°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 β 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
How far is Downey, CA from Boulder, CO?
The driving distance is 1027 mi and the route typically takes 18h 11m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Downey compare to Boulder?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Downey MSA vs $64,750 in the Boulder MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 194,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Downey compared to Boulder?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $888,710 in Downey vs $964,531 in Boulder β a 7.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Downey more expensive than Boulder?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Downey is 8.0% higher than Boulder (113.566 vs 105.202, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Boulder to Downey?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1027 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Boulder vs Downey?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,400 in Downey vs $85,364 in Boulder β a 2.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Boulder.
City profiles: Boulder, CO Β· Downey, CA.