Moving from Tuscaloosa, AL to Downey, CA
It is 2025 mi and 35h 15m from Tuscaloosa 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.
2025 mi Β· 35h 15m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Long Beach, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tuscaloosa | Downey | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 87.722 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.396 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 58.246 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Downey is 29.5% more expensive than Tuscaloosa on the BEA RPP β expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $228,947 in Tuscaloosa to $888,710 in Downey, a 29.5% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Tuscaloosa +1.1%, Downey +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tuscaloosa | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 57.3" | 12.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 64.3Β°F vs 64.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tuscaloosa | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,699 | 111,793 |
| Median household income | $48,536 | $87,400 |
| Median age | 28.2 | 37 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 3.22 |
Expect median household income to rise 29.5% β $48,536 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 Alabama 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
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
When is the best time to move from Tuscaloosa to Downey?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2025 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 Tuscaloosa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Downey MSA vs $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 103,520 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Downey more expensive than Tuscaloosa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Downey is 29.5% higher than Tuscaloosa (113.566 vs 87.722, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Downey, CA from Tuscaloosa, AL?
The driving distance is 2025 mi and the route typically takes 35h 15m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Tuscaloosa vs Downey?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,400 in Downey vs $48,536 in Tuscaloosa β a 80.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Downey compared to Tuscaloosa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $888,710 in Downey vs $228,947 in Tuscaloosa β a 288.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tuscaloosa.
City profiles: Tuscaloosa, AL Β· Downey, CA.