Moving from Downey, CA to Garden Grove, CA
Relocating from Downey, CA to Garden Grove, CA? The drive is 17 mi β about 28 min. Local does not always mean identical: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and NOAA climate can all shift a few percent across short distances. The sections below compare each data layer directly.
17 mi Β· 28 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Orange |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Downey | Garden Grove | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Downey and Garden Grove sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Garden Grove run about 0.0% pricier β ZHVI $888,710 β $1,013,183 (2026-03).
YoY change: Downey +1.2%, Garden Grove +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Downey | Garden Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 12.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 64.9Β°F vs 66.1Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Garden Grove sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Downey | Garden Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,793 | 170,603 |
| Median household income | $87,400 | $90,166 |
| Median age | 37 | 39.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 18.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 3.51 |
Household income lines up β $87,400 vs $90,166 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Garden Grove 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.
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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Garden Grove sees only 12.5 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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Downey vs Garden Grove?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,166 in Garden Grove vs $87,400 in Downey β a 3.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Garden Grove compared to Downey?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,013,183 in Garden Grove vs $888,710 in Downey β a 14.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Garden Grove compare to Downey?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Garden Grove MSA vs $50,490 in the Downey MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Garden Grove, CA from Downey, CA?
The driving distance is 17 mi and the route typically takes 28 min via I 5. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Downey to Garden Grove?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 17 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 Downey.
City profiles: Downey, CA Β· Garden Grove, CA.