Moving from Downey, CA to Pearland, TX
A 1558 mi cross-country move between Downey and Pearland is 26h 42m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 4 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1558 mi Β· 26h 42m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, League City, Sugar Land, Houston, San Antonio |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Downey | Pearland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Expect about 13.2% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Pearland at 98.629 vs Downey at 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 13.2% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $888,710 to $382,157 moving to Pearland.
YoY change: Downey +1.2%, Pearland -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Downey | Pearland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 53.3" |
Annual temperature rises 6.4Β°F moving to Pearland per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, HOUSTON CLOVER FLD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Downey | Pearland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,793 | 125,983 |
| Median household income | $87,400 | $112,470 |
| Median age | 37 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 29.6% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.89 |
Pearland households earn about 13.2% more than Downey at the median β $87,400 β $112,470 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Pearland MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Pearland average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Pearland averages 53.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Downey to Pearland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1558 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 Pearland compared to Downey?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $382,157 in Pearland vs $888,710 in Downey β a 57.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Downey vs Pearland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $112,470 in Pearland vs $87,400 in Downey β a 28.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Pearland, TX from Downey, CA?
The driving distance is 1558 mi and the route typically takes 26h 42m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Pearland more expensive than Downey?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pearland is 13.2% lower than Downey (98.629 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Pearland compare to Downey?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Pearland MSA vs $50,490 in the Downey MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 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· Pearland, TX.