Moving from Murrieta, CA to Downey, CA
It is a 70 mi drive, roughly 1h 25m, between Murrieta, CA and Downey, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
70 mi Β· 1h 25m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 15, CA 91, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Glendale, Torrance, Pasadena, Inglewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Murrieta | Downey | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 6.7% above Murrieta β 106.442 β 113.566 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
6.7% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Murrieta -1.5%, Downey +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Murrieta | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 15.3" | 12.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FALLBROOK 5 NE, CA US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Murrieta | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,621 | 111,793 |
| Median household income | $109,780 | $87,400 |
| Median age | 36 | 37 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.15 | 3.22 |
Downey households earn about 6.7% less than Murrieta at the median β $109,780 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.
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
- 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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Murrieta to Downey?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 70 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 Murrieta vs Downey?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,400 in Downey vs $109,780 in Murrieta β a 20.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Downey compared to Murrieta?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $888,710 in Downey vs $688,358 in Murrieta β a 29.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Downey more expensive than Murrieta?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Downey is 6.7% higher than Murrieta (113.566 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Downey, CA from Murrieta, CA?
The driving distance is 70 mi and the route typically takes 1h 25m via I 15 and CA 91. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Downey compare to Murrieta?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Downey MSA vs $47,450 in the Murrieta MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,661,860 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 Murrieta.
City profiles: Murrieta, CA Β· Downey, CA.