Moving from Houston, TX to Downey, CA
Cross-country relocations like Houston, TX β Downey, CA cover 1542 mi and about 26h 22m of driving through 4 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.
1542 mi Β· 26h 22m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, San Antonio |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Houston | Downey | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Downey is 15.1% higher than Houston, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Downey is 15.1% above Houston β $264,336 vs $888,710 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Downey +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Houston | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 12.0" |
Climate cools by 5.7Β°F on the annual average β 70.6Β°F β 64.9Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 111,793 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $87,400 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 37 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 3.22 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 15.1% between Houston and Downey (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 Texas 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
- 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.
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.
- 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
Is Downey more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Downey is 15.1% higher than Houston (113.566 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Downey, CA from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 1542 mi and the route typically takes 26h 22m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Downey compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Downey MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Houston to Downey?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1542 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Downey compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $888,710 in Downey vs $264,336 in Houston β a 236.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Houston vs Downey?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,400 in Downey vs $62,894 in Houston β a 39.0% 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 Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX Β· Downey, CA.