Moving from Downey, CA to Topeka, KS
Cross-country relocations like Downey, CA β Topeka, KS cover 1554 mi and about 26h 52m of driving through 6 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1554 mi Β· 26h 52m by car Β· KS β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | KS β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Denver, Aurora, Centennial, Thornton, Westminster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Downey | Topeka | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 88.82 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 88.942 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 94.027 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 64.987 | 100.0 |
Overall price level runs 21.8% below Downey β a substantial cost-of-living drop on the BEA Regional Price Parity (113.566 β 88.82, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Topeka is 21.8% below Downey β $888,710 vs $190,096 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Downey +1.2%, Topeka -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Downey | Topeka |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 37.3" |
Climate cools by 10.0Β°F on the annual average β 64.9Β°F β 54.9Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, TOPEKA - NWS, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Downey | Topeka |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,793 | 126,103 |
| Median household income | $87,400 | $55,902 |
| Median age | 37 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 18.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.32 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 21.8% between Downey and Topeka (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Topeka MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,950 | $39,390 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,940 | $41,900 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 8,460 | $63,790 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 8,420 | $27,880 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 8,350 | $70,100 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Kansas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Kansas'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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (10.0Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Tornado season peaks April through June β identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- 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 Kansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Topeka compare to Downey?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,340 in the Topeka MSA vs $50,490 in the Downey MSA, on total employment of 113,350 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Topeka compared to Downey?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $190,096 in Topeka vs $888,710 in Downey β a 78.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Topeka, KS from Downey, CA?
The driving distance is 1554 mi and the route typically takes 26h 52m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Downey vs Topeka?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,902 in Topeka vs $87,400 in Downey β a 36.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Downey to Topeka?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1554 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Topeka more expensive than Downey?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Topeka is 21.8% lower than Downey (88.82 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Downey.
City profiles: Downey, CA Β· Topeka, KS.