Moving from Downey, CA to Sacramento, CA
It is a 398 mi drive, roughly 7h 22m, between Downey, CA and Sacramento, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
398 mi Β· 7h 22m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 80 BUS |
| Major cities en route | Roseville, Elk Grove, Antioch, Stockton, Modesto |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Downey | Sacramento | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 106.67 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 151.29 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 130.23 | 100.0 |
Expect about 6.1% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Sacramento at 106.67 vs Downey at 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.1% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $888,710 to $479,766 moving to Sacramento.
YoY change: Downey +1.2%, Sacramento -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Downey | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 19.2" |
Annual average temperatures in Downey (64.9Β°F) and Sacramento (63.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Sacramento gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Downey | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,793 | 524,802 |
| Median household income | $87,400 | $83,753 |
| Median age | 37 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.63 |
Median household incomes in Downey ($87,400) and Sacramento ($83,753) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sacramento MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 127,580 | $49,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 92,040 | $35,560 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 79,450 | $43,790 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 78,260 | $38,490 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 71,860 | $81,700 |
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 Sacramento average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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
Is Sacramento more expensive than Downey?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sacramento is 6.1% lower than Downey (106.67 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Downey vs Sacramento?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,753 in Sacramento vs $87,400 in Downey β a 4.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Downey to Sacramento?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 398 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Sacramento compare to Downey?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,290 in the Sacramento MSA vs $50,490 in the Downey MSA, on total employment of 1,048,170 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Sacramento compared to Downey?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $479,766 in Sacramento vs $888,710 in Downey β a 46.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Sacramento, CA from Downey, CA?
The driving distance is 398 mi and the route typically takes 7h 22m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. 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· Sacramento, CA.