Moving from Downey, CA to San Bernardino, CA
Relocating between Downey, CA and San Bernardino, CA is a 59 mi drive β 1h 11m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
59 mi Β· 1h 11m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 210, I 605 |
| Major cities en route | Moreno Valley, Victorville, Riverside, Rialto, Fontana |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Downey | San Bernardino | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 6.3% moving from Downey to San Bernardino β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $888,710 in Downey to $487,988 in San Bernardino, a 6.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Downey +1.2%, San Bernardino -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Downey | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 12.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 64.9Β°F vs 65.2Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: San Bernardino sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, REDLANDS, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Downey | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,793 | 221,774 |
| Median household income | $87,400 | $63,988 |
| Median age | 37 | 31.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 9% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 3.51 |
Expect median household income to fall 6.3% β $87,400 β $63,988 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Bernardino MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in San Bernardino average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: San Bernardino sees only 12.9 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 does household income compare in Downey vs San Bernardino?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,988 in San Bernardino vs $87,400 in Downey β a 26.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Downey to San Bernardino?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 59 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 San Bernardino compare to Downey?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the San Bernardino MSA vs $50,490 in the Downey MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is San Bernardino, CA from Downey, CA?
The driving distance is 59 mi and the route typically takes 1h 11m via CA 210 and I 605. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is San Bernardino more expensive than Downey?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Bernardino is 6.3% lower than Downey (106.442 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in San Bernardino compared to Downey?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $487,988 in San Bernardino vs $888,710 in Downey β a 45.1% 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· San Bernardino, CA.