Moving from Memphis, TN to Downey, CA
It is 1799 mi and 30h 58m from Memphis to Downey β a cross-country move across 7 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1799 mi Β· 30h 58m by car Β· TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 66 HIST, US 270 |
| Major cities en route | Little Rock, Norman, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Albuquerque |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Memphis | Downey | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.179 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.097 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.221 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.807 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 92.179 in Memphis to 113.566 in Downey, putting overall prices 23.2% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 23.2% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $144,710 to $888,710 moving to Downey.
YoY change: Memphis -3.1%, Downey +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Memphis | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 33Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.7" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 54.9" | 12.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Memphis (63.4Β°F) and Downey (64.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Memphis | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 111,793 |
| Median household income | $51,211 | $87,400 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 37 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 3.22 |
Expect median household income to rise 23.2% β $51,211 β $87,400 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Tennessee 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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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
How far is Downey, CA from Memphis, TN?
The driving distance is 1799 mi and the route typically takes 30h 58m via I 40 and US 66 HIST. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Memphis vs Downey?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,400 in Downey vs $51,211 in Memphis β a 70.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Downey compared to Memphis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $888,710 in Downey vs $144,710 in Memphis β a 514.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Downey more expensive than Memphis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Downey is 23.2% higher than Memphis (113.566 vs 92.179, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Memphis to Downey?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1799 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 Downey compare to Memphis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Downey MSA vs $43,400 in the Memphis MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 625,340 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Memphis.
City profiles: Memphis, TN Β· Downey, CA.