Moving from Downey, CA to Austin, TX
A move from Downey, CA to Austin, TX covers 1377 mi and around 23h 44m 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.
1377 mi Β· 23h 44m 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, US 290, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Downey | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Austin is 13.6% cheaper than Downey overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Austin is 13.6% below Downey β $888,710 vs $508,530 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Downey +1.2%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Downey | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 36.3" |
Austin runs 5.1Β°F warmer on the annual average (64.9Β°F vs 70.0Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Austin gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Downey | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,793 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $87,400 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 37 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.2 |
Median household incomes in Downey ($87,400) and Austin ($91,461) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Austin average 97Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Downey to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1377 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Downey vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $87,400 in Downey β a 4.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Austin, TX from Downey, CA?
The driving distance is 1377 mi and the route typically takes 23h 44m via I 10 and US 290. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Downey?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $888,710 in Downey β a 42.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Austin more expensive than Downey?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 13.6% lower than Downey (98.066 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Austin compare to Downey?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $50,490 in the Downey MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Downey.
City profiles: Downey, CA Β· Austin, TX.