Moving from Downey, CA to Richmond, CA
The 396 mi from Downey to Richmond translate to about 7h 25m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
396 mi Β· 7h 25m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 580 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Fairfield, Berkeley, Oakland, Concord |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Downey | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Downey (113.566) and Richmond (115.613) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Richmond: 1.8% below Downey on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Downey +1.2%, Richmond -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Downey | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 71Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 24.4" |
Climate cools by 6.1Β°F on the annual average β 64.9Β°F β 58.8Β°F.
Effectively snow-free year in Richmond β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, RICHMOND, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Downey | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,793 | 115,396 |
| Median household income | $87,400 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 37 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 20.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.85 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richmond MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
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
- 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 far is Richmond, CA from Downey, CA?
The driving distance is 396 mi and the route typically takes 7h 25m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Downey?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Richmond MSA vs $50,490 in the Downey MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 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 Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Richmond vs $87,400 in Downey β a 3.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Richmond more expensive than Downey?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 1.8% higher than Downey (115.613 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Downey to Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 396 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 Richmond compared to Downey?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $606,427 in Richmond vs $888,710 in Downey β a 31.8% 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· Richmond, CA.