Moving from Downey, CA to High Point, NC
Moving from Downey, CA to High Point, NC is a 2467 mi cross-country relocation β about 43h 12m of driving through 9 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2467 mi Β· 43h 12m 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, Winston Salem, Knoxville, Murfreesboro, Memphis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Downey | High Point | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 92.865 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 89.065 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 74.519 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in High Point are 18.2% below Downey β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: High Point typical home at $249,821 is 18.2% under Downey at $888,710 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Downey +1.2%, High Point +0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Downey | High Point |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 48.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 64.9Β°F vs 61.1Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 1.9 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, HIGH PT, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Downey | High Point |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,793 | 115,263 |
| Median household income | $87,400 | $61,228 |
| Median age | 37 | 37.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 21.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.56 |
Median household income in High Point is 18.2% below Downey ($87,400 vs $61,228, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in High Point MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 44,320 | $36,510 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 43,250 | $40,420 |
| Production Occupations | 34,760 | $38,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 34,460 | $35,150 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 31,710 | $27,270 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and North Carolina
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check North Carolina'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
- Atlantic hurricane season runs August through October, particularly on the Outer Banks.
- 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 North Carolina after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is High Point, NC from Downey, CA?
The driving distance is 2467 mi and the route typically takes 43h 12m via I 40 and US 52. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in High Point compare to Downey?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,730 in the High Point MSA vs $50,490 in the Downey MSA, on total employment of 356,380 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Downey vs High Point?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $61,228 in High Point vs $87,400 in Downey β a 29.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in High Point compared to Downey?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,821 in High Point vs $888,710 in Downey β a 71.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Downey to High Point?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2467 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is High Point more expensive than Downey?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in High Point is 18.2% lower than Downey (92.865 vs 113.566, 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 Downey.
City profiles: Downey, CA Β· High Point, NC.