Moving from Downey, CA to League City, TX
A 1570 mi cross-country move between Downey and League City is 26h 54m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 4 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1570 mi Β· 26h 54m 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 87, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Pearland, Houston, Sugar Land, San Antonio |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Downey | League City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 13.2% moving from Downey to League City β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $888,710 in Downey to $372,300 in League City, a 13.2% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Downey +1.2%, League City -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Downey | League City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 60.2" |
Annual temperature rises 5.7Β°F moving to League City per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: League City sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, HOUSTON NWSO, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Downey | League City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,793 | 114,885 |
| Median household income | $87,400 | $119,870 |
| Median age | 37 | 37.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 32.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.68 |
League City households earn about 13.2% more than Downey at the median β $87,400 β $119,870 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in League City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
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 League City average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: League City averages 60.2 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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
How does the job market in League City compare to Downey?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the League City MSA vs $50,490 in the Downey MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in League City compared to Downey?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $372,300 in League City vs $888,710 in Downey β a 58.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Downey to League City?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1570 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is League City more expensive than Downey?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in League City is 13.2% lower than Downey (98.629 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Downey vs League City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,870 in League City vs $87,400 in Downey β a 37.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is League City, TX from Downey, CA?
The driving distance is 1570 mi and the route typically takes 26h 54m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Downey.
City profiles: Downey, CA Β· League City, TX.