Moving from Winston-Salem, NC to Downey, CA
Cross-country relocations like Winston-Salem, NC β Downey, CA cover 2448 mi and about 42h 49m of driving through 9 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2448 mi Β· 42h 49m by car Β· NC β VA β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β VA β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 52, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Greensboro, High Point, Knoxville, Murfreesboro, Memphis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Winston-Salem | Downey | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.043 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.421 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.377 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Major COL jump: 23.4% higher overall in Downey vs Winston-Salem on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Downey: 23.4% above Winston-Salem on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Winston-Salem +0.9%, Downey +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Winston-Salem | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 43.2" | 12.0" |
Climate warms by 5.4Β°F on the annual average β 59.5Β°F β 64.9Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WINSTON SALEM RYNLDS AP, NC US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Winston-Salem | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 250,887 | 111,793 |
| Median household income | $57,673 | $87,400 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 37 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 3.22 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 23.4% between Winston-Salem and Downey (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.
Moving between North Carolina 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
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Downey compare to Winston-Salem?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Downey MSA vs $43,040 in the Winston-Salem MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 271,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Winston-Salem to Downey?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2448 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Downey, CA from Winston-Salem, NC?
The driving distance is 2448 mi and the route typically takes 42h 49m via I 40 and US 52. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Winston-Salem vs Downey?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,400 in Downey vs $57,673 in Winston-Salem β a 51.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Downey compared to Winston-Salem?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $888,710 in Downey vs $264,333 in Winston-Salem β a 236.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Downey more expensive than Winston-Salem?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Downey is 23.4% higher than Winston-Salem (113.566 vs 92.043, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Winston-Salem.
City profiles: Winston-Salem, NC Β· Downey, CA.