Moving from Downey, CA to Palm Bay, FL
It is 2574 mi and 45h 19m from Downey to Palm Bay β a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2574 mi Β· 45h 19m by car Β· FL β AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Orlando, Gainesville, Tallahassee, Mobile, New Orleans |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Downey | Palm Bay | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 100.005 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 88.064 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 111.731 | 100.0 |
Expect about 11.9% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Palm Bay at 100.005 vs Downey at 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 11.9% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $888,710 to $302,461 moving to Palm Bay.
YoY change: Downey +1.2%, Palm Bay -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Downey | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 73Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 55.6" |
Expect 7.7Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, PALM BAY, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Downey | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,793 | 125,273 |
| Median household income | $87,400 | $67,521 |
| Median age | 37 | 41.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 14.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.82 |
Expect median household income to fall 11.9% β $87,400 β $67,521 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Palm Bay MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 28,820 | $39,710 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 24,880 | $28,940 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 22,200 | $33,940 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 16,730 | $79,650 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 15,660 | $73,620 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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 Palm Bay average 91Β°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: Palm Bay averages 55.6 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) 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.
- Register to vote in Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Downey vs Palm Bay?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,521 in Palm Bay vs $87,400 in Downey β a 22.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Palm Bay more expensive than Downey?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Palm Bay is 11.9% lower than Downey (100.005 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Palm Bay compare to Downey?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,290 in the Palm Bay MSA vs $50,490 in the Downey MSA, on total employment of 236,890 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Palm Bay, FL from Downey, CA?
The driving distance is 2574 mi and the route typically takes 45h 19m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Downey to Palm Bay?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2574 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Palm Bay compared to Downey?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $302,461 in Palm Bay vs $888,710 in Downey β a 66.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Downey.
City profiles: Downey, CA Β· Palm Bay, FL.