Moving from Downey, CA to Oakland, CA
Moving from Downey, CA to Oakland, CA covers 379 mi and about 7h 4m 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.
379 mi Β· 7h 4m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 580 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Berkeley, Richmond, Concord, San Mateo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Downey | Oakland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Oakland and Downey are close on the overall BEA RPP (113.566 vs 115.613); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 1.8% lower in Oakland than Downey as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Downey +1.2%, Oakland -8.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Downey | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 72Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 22.6" |
Oakland is 5.3Β°F cooler on the annual average (64.9Β°F vs 59.6Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Oakland sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, OAKLAND MUSEUM, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Downey | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,793 | 438,072 |
| Median household income | $87,400 | $97,369 |
| Median age | 37 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.53 |
Median household income in Oakland is 1.8% above Downey ($87,400 β $97,369, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Oakland MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
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
- 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 does the job market in Oakland compare to Downey?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Oakland MSA vs $50,490 in the Downey MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Oakland more expensive than Downey?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Oakland is 1.8% higher than Downey (115.613 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Oakland, CA from Downey, CA?
The driving distance is 379 mi and the route typically takes 7h 4m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Oakland compared to Downey?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $716,248 in Oakland vs $888,710 in Downey β a 19.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Downey vs Oakland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,369 in Oakland vs $87,400 in Downey β a 11.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Downey to Oakland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 379 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Downey.
City profiles: Downey, CA Β· Oakland, CA.