Moving from San Mateo, CA to Downey, CA
It is a 381 mi drive, roughly 7h 11m, between San Mateo, 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.
381 mi Β· 7h 11m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 152, US 101 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Torrance, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Mateo | 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 |
Overall price level is comparable β 115.613 vs 113.566 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 1.8% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $1,686,905 to $888,710 moving to Downey.
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, Downey +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | 12.0" |
Annual temperature rises 6.2Β°F moving to Downey per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 111,793 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $87,400 |
| Median age | 38 | 37 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 3.22 |
Downey households earn about 1.8% less than San Mateo at the median β $152,669 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 Mateo vs Downey?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,400 in Downey vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 42.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Downey more expensive than San Mateo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Downey is 1.8% lower than San Mateo (113.566 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Downey, CA from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance is 381 mi and the route typically takes 7h 11m via I 5 and CA 152. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Downey compare to San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Downey MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo 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.
When is the best time to move from San Mateo to Downey?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 381 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 San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $888,710 in Downey vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 47.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Mateo.
City profiles: San Mateo, CA Β· Downey, CA.