Moving from Atlanta, GA to Downey, CA
It is 2171 mi and 37h 49m from Atlanta to Downey β a cross-country move across 10 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.
2171 mi Β· 37h 49m by car Β· GA β AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | GA β AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 22, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Sandy Springs, South Fulton, Birmingham, Memphis, Little Rock |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Atlanta | Downey | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.058 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 96.239 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.416 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.022 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 13.5% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 13.5% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $385,599 to $888,710 moving to Downey.
YoY change: Atlanta -3.8%, Downey +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Atlanta | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 48.1" | 12.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Atlanta (62.3Β°F) and Downey (64.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ATLANTA FULTON CO AP, GA US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Atlanta | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 111,793 |
| Median household income | $81,938 | $87,400 |
| Median age | 34 | 37 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.8% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.16 | 3.22 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 13.5% higher in Downey than Atlanta.
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 Georgia 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 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 Atlanta?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Downey MSA vs $48,370 in the Atlanta MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 2,817,660 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Downey compared to Atlanta?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $888,710 in Downey vs $385,599 in Atlanta β a 130.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Downey, CA from Atlanta, GA?
The driving distance is 2171 mi and the route typically takes 37h 49m via I 40 and I 22. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Downey more expensive than Atlanta?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Downey is 13.5% higher than Atlanta (113.566 vs 100.058, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Atlanta vs Downey?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,400 in Downey vs $81,938 in Atlanta β a 6.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Atlanta to Downey?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2171 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Atlanta.
City profiles: Atlanta, GA Β· Downey, CA.