Moving from Downey, CA to El Cajon, CA
Relocating between Downey, CA and El Cajon, CA is a 118 mi drive β 2h 21m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
118 mi Β· 2h 21m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 73, CA 52 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Glendale, Pasadena, Inglewood, Burbank |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Downey | El Cajon | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 111.887 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 174.247 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 107.963 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 179.267 | 100.0 |
Downey and El Cajon sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in El Cajon run about 1.5% cheaper β ZHVI $888,710 β $816,317 (2026-03).
YoY change: Downey +1.2%, El Cajon -2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Downey | El Cajon |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 11.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 64.9Β°F vs 65.1Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: El Cajon sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, EL CAJON, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Downey | El Cajon |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,793 | 104,909 |
| Median household income | $87,400 | $66,478 |
| Median age | 37 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 15.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 3.09 |
Expect median household income to fall 1.5% β $87,400 β $66,478 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in El Cajon MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 166,920 | $48,270 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 155,650 | $35,470 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 123,300 | $38,790 |
| Management Occupations | 114,190 | $134,250 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 112,110 | $83,560 |
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: El Cajon sees only 11.6 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
When is the best time to move from Downey to El Cajon?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 118 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is El Cajon, CA from Downey, CA?
The driving distance is 118 mi and the route typically takes 2h 21m via I 5 and CA 73. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Downey vs El Cajon?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,478 in El Cajon vs $87,400 in Downey β a 23.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in El Cajon compared to Downey?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $816,317 in El Cajon vs $888,710 in Downey β a 8.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is El Cajon more expensive than Downey?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in El Cajon is 1.5% lower than Downey (111.887 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in El Cajon compare to Downey?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,090 in the El Cajon MSA vs $50,490 in the Downey MSA, on total employment of 1,522,620 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Downey.
City profiles: Downey, CA Β· El Cajon, CA.