Moving from Downey, CA to Richmond, VA
It is 2617 mi and 45h 53m from Downey to Richmond β a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2617 mi Β· 45h 53m 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, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Knoxville, Murfreesboro, Memphis, Little Rock, Norman |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Downey | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 97.858 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 89.221 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 96.773 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 99.136 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 13.8% cheaper overall in Richmond than Downey on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
13.8% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Downey +1.2%, Richmond +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Downey | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 29Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 8.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 45.5" |
Expect 6.0Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Light snow year: Richmond gets around 8.8 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Downey | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,793 | 227,595 |
| Median household income | $87,400 | $62,671 |
| Median age | 37 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 26% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.23 |
Expect median household income to fall 13.8% β $87,400 β $62,671 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richmond MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,810 | $43,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 61,000 | $36,060 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 58,830 | $43,620 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 57,620 | $78,170 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 50,860 | $30,140 |
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 Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2617 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Downey?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,470 in the Richmond MSA vs $50,490 in the Downey MSA, on total employment of 647,440 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Richmond more expensive than Downey?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 13.8% lower than Downey (97.858 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Downey vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,671 in Richmond vs $87,400 in Downey β a 28.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Richmond, VA from Downey, CA?
The driving distance is 2617 mi and the route typically takes 45h 53m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Downey?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,646 in Richmond vs $888,710 in Downey β a 58.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Downey.
City profiles: Downey, CA Β· Richmond, VA.