Moving from San Francisco, CA to Downey, CA
It is a 443 mi drive, roughly 8h 51m, between San Francisco, 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.
443 mi Β· 8h 51m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 580 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Rosa, Richmond, Vallejo, Fairfield, Berkeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Francisco | 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 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
1.8% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: San Francisco +5.0%, Downey +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Francisco | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 62Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 20.6" | 12.0" |
Annual temperature rises 8.7Β°F moving to Downey per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO OCEANSIDE, CA US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Francisco | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 111,793 |
| Median household income | $141,446 | $87,400 |
| Median age | 39.7 | 37 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.1% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.31 | 3.22 |
Downey households earn about 1.8% less than San Francisco at the median β $141,446 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
How does household income compare in San Francisco vs Downey?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,400 in Downey vs $141,446 in San Francisco β a 38.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from San Francisco to Downey?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 443 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 San Francisco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Downey MSA vs $72,050 in the San Francisco 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.
Is Downey more expensive than San Francisco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Downey is 1.8% lower than San Francisco (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 San Francisco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $888,710 in Downey vs $1,356,662 in San Francisco β a 34.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Downey, CA from San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance is 443 mi and the route typically takes 8h 51m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Francisco.
City profiles: San Francisco, CA Β· Downey, CA.