Moving from Downey, CA to San Mateo, CA
Relocating between Downey, CA and San Mateo, CA is a 381 mi drive β 7h 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.
381 mi Β· 7h 11m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 152, US 101 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Torrance, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Downey | San Mateo | 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 |
Downey and San Mateo sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $888,710 in Downey to $1,686,905 in San Mateo, a 1.8% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Downey +1.2%, San Mateo +0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Downey | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 19.6" |
Expect 6.2Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Downey | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,793 | 103,555 |
| Median household income | $87,400 | $152,669 |
| Median age | 37 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.6 |
Expect median household income to rise 1.8% β $87,400 β $152,669 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Mateo 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 household income compare in Downey vs San Mateo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $152,669 in San Mateo vs $87,400 in Downey β a 74.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in San Mateo compare to Downey?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the San Mateo 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.
How much do homes cost in San Mateo compared to Downey?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,686,905 in San Mateo vs $888,710 in Downey β a 89.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is San Mateo more expensive than Downey?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Mateo is 1.8% higher than Downey (115.613 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Downey to San Mateo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 381 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is San Mateo, CA from Downey, CA?
The driving distance is 381 mi and the route typically takes 7h 11m via I 5 and CA 152. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Downey.
City profiles: Downey, CA Β· San Mateo, CA.