Moving from Broken Arrow, OK to Downey, CA
It is 1442 mi between Broken Arrow and Downey β roughly 24h 52m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1442 mi Β· 24h 52m by car Β· OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 66 HIST, I 44 |
| Major cities en route | Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Norman, Amarillo, Albuquerque |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Broken Arrow | Downey | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.214 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 73.856 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.235 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 89.214 in Broken Arrow to 113.566 in Downey, putting overall prices 27.3% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 27.3% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $286,846 to $888,710 moving to Downey.
YoY change: Broken Arrow +2.1%, Downey +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Broken Arrow | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 12.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Broken Arrow (60.0Β°F) and Downey (64.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BIXBY, OK US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Broken Arrow | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,919 | 111,793 |
| Median household income | $85,220 | $87,400 |
| Median age | 37 | 37 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.5% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 3.22 |
Median household incomes in Broken Arrow ($85,220) and Downey ($87,400) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
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 Oklahoma 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
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Broken Arrow to Downey?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1442 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 Broken Arrow vs Downey?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,400 in Downey vs $85,220 in Broken Arrow β a 2.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Downey more expensive than Broken Arrow?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Downey is 27.3% higher than Broken Arrow (113.566 vs 89.214, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Downey, CA from Broken Arrow, OK?
The driving distance is 1442 mi and the route typically takes 24h 52m via I 40 and US 66 HIST. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Downey compare to Broken Arrow?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Downey MSA vs $43,140 in the Broken Arrow MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 443,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Downey compared to Broken Arrow?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $888,710 in Downey vs $286,846 in Broken Arrow β a 209.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Broken Arrow.
City profiles: Broken Arrow, OK Β· Downey, CA.