Moving from Downey, CA to Riverside, CA
Relocating from Downey, CA to Riverside, CA? The drive is 47 mi β about 60 min. Local does not always mean identical: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and NOAA climate can all shift a few percent across short distances. The sections below compare each data layer directly.
47 mi Β· 60 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 91, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | San Bernardino, Moreno Valley, Menifee, Fontana, Rialto |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Downey | Riverside | 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 |
Moderate COL drop: 6.3% cheaper overall in Riverside than Downey on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
6.3% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Downey +1.2%, Riverside -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Downey | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 10.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Riverside β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, RIVERSIDE FIRE STN 3, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Downey | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,793 | 316,241 |
| Median household income | $87,400 | $88,575 |
| Median age | 37 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 15.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 3.42 |
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 Riverside 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 Riverside average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Riverside sees only 10.0 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 household income compare in Downey vs Riverside?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,575 in Riverside vs $87,400 in Downey β a 1.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Riverside compare to Downey?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Riverside 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.
When is the best time to move from Downey to Riverside?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 47 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Riverside more expensive than Downey?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Riverside 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 Riverside compared to Downey?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $646,784 in Riverside vs $888,710 in Downey β a 27.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Riverside, CA from Downey, CA?
The driving distance is 47 mi and the route typically takes 60 min via CA 91 and I 5. 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· Riverside, CA.