Moving from Arlington, TX to Downey, CA
A move from Arlington, TX to Downey, CA covers 1419 mi and around 24h 23m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1419 mi Β· 24h 23m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Irving, Grand Prairie, Carrollton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arlington | Downey | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 10.2% pricier overall in Downey than Arlington on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Downey typical home at $888,710 is 10.2% above Arlington at $310,971 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Arlington -3.0%, Downey +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arlington | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.2" | 12.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.8Β°F vs 64.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arlington | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 111,793 |
| Median household income | $73,519 | $87,400 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 37 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.8% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.81 | 3.22 |
Median household income in Downey is 10.2% above Arlington ($73,519 β $87,400, 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 Texas 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
- 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 Arlington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Downey MSA vs $48,440 in the Arlington MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Downey compared to Arlington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $888,710 in Downey vs $310,971 in Arlington β a 185.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Downey, CA from Arlington, TX?
The driving distance is 1419 mi and the route typically takes 24h 23m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Arlington vs Downey?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,400 in Downey vs $73,519 in Arlington β a 18.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Arlington to Downey?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1419 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Downey more expensive than Arlington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Downey is 10.2% higher than Arlington (113.566 vs 103.09, 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 Arlington.
City profiles: Arlington, TX Β· Downey, CA.