Moving from Downey, CA to Rancho Cucamonga, CA
The drive from Downey to Rancho Cucamonga covers 44 mi in about 54 min. Local moves still matter β school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
44 mi Β· 54 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 210, I 605 |
| Major cities en route | Ontario, Corona, Riverside, Moreno Valley, Jurupa Valley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Downey | Rancho Cucamonga | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 113.566 to 106.442, putting Rancho Cucamonga roughly 6.3% below Downey on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Rancho Cucamonga ZHVI at $792,765 is 6.3% below Downey at $888,710.
YoY change: Downey +1.2%, Rancho Cucamonga -0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Downey | Rancho Cucamonga |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 11.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Downey | Rancho Cucamonga |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,793 | 174,693 |
| Median household income | $87,400 | $109,511 |
| Median age | 37 | 37.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 22.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 3.01 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 6.3% between Downey and Rancho Cucamonga (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Rancho Cucamonga MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Rancho Cucamonga average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Rancho Cucamonga sees only 11.6 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 the job market in Rancho Cucamonga compare to Downey?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Rancho Cucamonga MSA vs $50,490 in the Downey MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 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 Rancho Cucamonga?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $109,511 in Rancho Cucamonga vs $87,400 in Downey β a 25.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Rancho Cucamonga more expensive than Downey?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rancho Cucamonga is 6.3% lower than Downey (106.442 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Rancho Cucamonga compared to Downey?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $792,765 in Rancho Cucamonga vs $888,710 in Downey β a 10.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Downey to Rancho Cucamonga?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 44 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Rancho Cucamonga, CA from Downey, CA?
The driving distance is 44 mi and the route typically takes 54 min via CA 210 and I 605. The trip crosses 1 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· Rancho Cucamonga, CA.