Moving from Greeley, CO to Downey, CA
It is 1071 mi between Greeley and Downey β roughly 18h 54m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1071 mi Β· 18h 54m by car Β· CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Long Beach, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Greeley | Downey | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.176 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.997 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.599 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Downey runs about 13.4% more expensive overall than Greeley β RPP 100.176 β 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $420,464 in Greeley to $888,710 in Downey, a 13.4% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Greeley -1.6%, Downey +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Greeley | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 18Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 34.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.7" | 12.0" |
Annual temperature rises 12.8Β°F moving to Downey per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: GREELEY UNC, CO US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Greeley | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,421 | 111,793 |
| Median household income | $68,650 | $87,400 |
| Median age | 32.5 | 37 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.9% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.81 | 3.22 |
Downey households earn about 13.4% more than Greeley at the median β $68,650 β $87,400 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Downey MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains 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.
- 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.
- 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Downey sees only 12.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.8Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Downey compare to Greeley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Downey MSA vs $50,140 in the Greeley MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 111,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Downey more expensive than Greeley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Downey is 13.4% higher than Greeley (113.566 vs 100.176, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Downey compared to Greeley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $888,710 in Downey vs $420,464 in Greeley β a 111.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Downey, CA from Greeley, CO?
The driving distance is 1071 mi and the route typically takes 18h 54m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Greeley to Downey?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1071 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Greeley vs Downey?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,400 in Downey vs $68,650 in Greeley β a 27.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Greeley.
City profiles: Greeley, CO Β· Downey, CA.