Moving from Downey, CA to Norfolk, VA
Cross-country relocations like Downey, CA β Norfolk, VA cover 2704 mi and about 47h 31m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2704 mi Β· 47h 31m by car Β· VA β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Newport News, Hampton, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Downey | Norfolk | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 113.566 to 97.941, putting Norfolk roughly 13.8% below Downey on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Norfolk: 13.8% below Downey on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Downey +1.2%, Norfolk +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Downey | Norfolk |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 45.7" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Norfolk gets around 3.0 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, NORFOLK NAS, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Downey | Norfolk |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,793 | 235,037 |
| Median household income | $87,400 | $64,017 |
| Median age | 37 | 32.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 19.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.49 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 13.8% between Downey and Norfolk (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Norfolk MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,690 | $39,820 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 71,490 | $29,090 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 69,500 | $31,880 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 59,850 | $38,810 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 57,140 | $79,090 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Virginia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Virginia'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
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Downey to Norfolk?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2704 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Norfolk compared to Downey?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $306,227 in Norfolk vs $888,710 in Downey β a 65.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Norfolk more expensive than Downey?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Norfolk is 13.8% lower than Downey (97.941 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Norfolk, VA from Downey, CA?
The driving distance is 2704 mi and the route typically takes 47h 31m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Downey vs Norfolk?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,017 in Norfolk vs $87,400 in Downey β a 26.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Norfolk compare to Downey?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Norfolk MSA vs $50,490 in the Downey MSA, on total employment of 737,200 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· Norfolk, VA.