Moving from Downey, CA to Irvine, CA
Relocating from Downey, CA to Irvine, CA? The drive is 30 mi β about 41 min. Local does not always mean identical: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and NOAA climate can all shift a few percent across short distances. The sections below compare each data layer directly.
30 mi Β· 41 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 55 |
| Major cities en route | Riverside, Corona, Costa Mesa, Jurupa Valley, Santa Ana |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Downey | Irvine | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
0.0% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Downey +1.2%, Irvine -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Downey | Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 14.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Irvine β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, TUSTIN IRVINE RCH, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Downey | Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,793 | 308,160 |
| Median household income | $87,400 | $129,647 |
| Median age | 37 | 33.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 39.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.75 |
Expect median household income to rise 0.0% β $87,400 β $129,647 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Irvine 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: Irvine sees only 14.1 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 much do homes cost in Irvine compared to Downey?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,557,982 in Irvine vs $888,710 in Downey β a 75.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Irvine compare to Downey?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Irvine MSA vs $50,490 in the Downey MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Irvine, CA from Downey, CA?
The driving distance is 30 mi and the route typically takes 41 min via I 5 and CA 55. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Downey to Irvine?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 30 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 Downey vs Irvine?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $129,647 in Irvine vs $87,400 in Downey β a 48.3% 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 Downey.
City profiles: Downey, CA Β· Irvine, CA.