Moving from Richmond, CA to Downey, CA
The 396 mi from Richmond to Downey translate to about 7h 25m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
396 mi Β· 7h 25m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 580 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Fairfield, Berkeley, Oakland, Concord |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richmond | Downey | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Downey and Richmond are close on the overall BEA RPP (115.613 vs 113.566); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Downey typical home at $888,710 is 1.8% above Richmond at $606,427 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Richmond -5.4%, Downey +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Richmond | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 71Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 24.4" | 12.0" |
Climate warms by 6.1Β°F on the annual average β 58.8Β°F β 64.9Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHMOND, CA US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richmond | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 111,793 |
| Median household income | $90,038 | $87,400 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 37 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.2% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.85 | 3.22 |
Household income lines up β $90,038 vs $87,400 on ACS 5-year 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
How does the job market in Downey compare to Richmond?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Downey MSA vs $72,050 in the Richmond MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Downey, CA from Richmond, CA?
The driving distance is 396 mi and the route typically takes 7h 25m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Downey more expensive than Richmond?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Downey is 1.8% lower than Richmond (113.566 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Downey compared to Richmond?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $888,710 in Downey vs $606,427 in Richmond β a 46.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Richmond vs Downey?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,400 in Downey vs $90,038 in Richmond β a 2.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Richmond to Downey?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 396 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Richmond.
City profiles: Richmond, CA Β· Downey, CA.