Moving from Downey, CA to Memphis, TN
A 1799 mi cross-country move between Downey and Memphis is 30h 58m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 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.
1799 mi Β· 30h 58m by car Β· TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 66 HIST, US 270 |
| Major cities en route | Little Rock, Norman, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Albuquerque |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Downey | Memphis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 92.179 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 74.097 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 96.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 79.807 | 100.0 |
Expect about 18.8% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Memphis at 92.179 vs Downey at 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 18.8% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $888,710 to $144,710 moving to Memphis.
YoY change: Downey +1.2%, Memphis -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Downey | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 33Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 54.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Downey (64.9Β°F) and Memphis (63.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Memphis averages 2.7 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Downey | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,793 | 629,063 |
| Median household income | $87,400 | $51,211 |
| Median age | 37 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.47 |
Memphis households earn about 18.8% less than Downey at the median β $87,400 β $51,211 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Memphis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 106,230 | $38,330 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 83,120 | $40,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 51,140 | $28,230 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 50,680 | $32,680 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 39,480 | $73,120 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Tennessee
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Tennessee'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Memphis 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: Memphis averages 54.9 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Tennessee after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Memphis, TN from Downey, CA?
The driving distance is 1799 mi and the route typically takes 30h 58m via I 40 and US 66 HIST. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Memphis compared to Downey?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $144,710 in Memphis vs $888,710 in Downey β a 83.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Downey to Memphis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1799 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Memphis compare to Downey?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,400 in the Memphis MSA vs $50,490 in the Downey MSA, on total employment of 625,340 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 Memphis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,211 in Memphis vs $87,400 in Downey β a 41.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Memphis more expensive than Downey?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Memphis is 18.8% lower than Downey (92.179 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· Memphis, TN.