Moving from Concord, CA to Downey, CA
Moving from Concord, CA to Downey, CA covers 384 mi and about 7h 12m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
384 mi Β· 7h 12m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 580 |
| Major cities en route | Antioch, Fairfield, Vallejo, Richmond, Oakland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Concord | Downey | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Downey and Concord is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Downey is 1.8% above Concord ($888,710 vs $742,769 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Concord -3.4%, Downey +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Concord | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.1" | 12.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Concord (62.0Β°F) and Downey (64.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CONCORD BUCHANAN FLD, CA US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Concord | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,260 | 111,793 |
| Median household income | $109,195 | $87,400 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 37 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.1% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 3.22 |
Median household income in Downey is 1.8% below Concord ($109,195 vs $87,400, ACS 5-year 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.
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.
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.
Frequently asked
How far is Downey, CA from Concord, CA?
The driving distance is 384 mi and the route typically takes 7h 12m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Concord vs Downey?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,400 in Downey vs $109,195 in Concord β a 20.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Downey compare to Concord?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Downey MSA vs $72,050 in the Concord MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Downey compared to Concord?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $888,710 in Downey vs $742,769 in Concord β a 19.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Concord to Downey?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 384 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Downey more expensive than Concord?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Downey is 1.8% lower than Concord (113.566 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Concord.
City profiles: Concord, CA Β· Downey, CA.