Moving from Downey, CA to Round Rock, TX
A move from Downey, CA to Round Rock, TX covers 1397 mi and around 24h 10m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1397 mi · 24h 10m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 290, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | Austin, El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Downey | Round Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Round Rock are 13.6% below Downey — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Round Rock typical home at $407,077 is 13.6% under Downey at $888,710 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Downey +1.2%, Round Rock -5.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
Climate normals not available (no NOAA station within range for one city).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Downey | Round Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,793 | 124,288 |
| Median household income | $87,400 | $97,187 |
| Median age | 37 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 28.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.66 |
Median household income in Round Rock is 13.6% above Downey ($87,400 → $97,187, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Round Rock MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Round Rock more expensive than Downey?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Round Rock is 13.6% lower than Downey (98.066 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Round Rock, TX from Downey, CA?
The driving distance is 1397 mi and the route typically takes 24h 10m via I 10 and US 290. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Downey to Round Rock?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1397 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Round Rock compared to Downey?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $407,077 in Round Rock vs $888,710 in Downey — a 54.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Downey vs Round Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,187 in Round Rock vs $87,400 in Downey — a 11.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Round Rock compare to Downey?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Round Rock MSA vs $50,490 in the Downey MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Downey.
City profiles: Downey, CA · Round Rock, TX.