Moving from Downey, CA to San Diego, CA
It is a 104 mi drive, roughly 2h 10m, between Downey, CA and San Diego, 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.
104 mi Β· 2h 10m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 805 |
| Major cities en route | Chula Vista, El Cajon, Escondido, Carlsbad, Oceanside |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Downey | San Diego | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 111.887 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 174.247 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 107.963 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 179.267 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 113.566 vs 111.887 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 1.5% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Downey +1.2%, San Diego -3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Downey | San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 80Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 11.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Downey (64.9Β°F) and San Diego (64.1Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, SAN DIEGO MONTGOMERY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Downey | San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,793 | 1,385,061 |
| Median household income | $87,400 | $104,321 |
| Median age | 37 | 36 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 28.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.65 |
Households in San Diego earn about 1.5% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Diego MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 166,920 | $48,270 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 155,650 | $35,470 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 123,300 | $38,790 |
| Management Occupations | 114,190 | $134,250 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 112,110 | $83,560 |
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
- Dry climate: San Diego sees only 11.0 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 much do homes cost in San Diego compared to Downey?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,001,265 in San Diego vs $888,710 in Downey β a 12.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is San Diego, CA from Downey, CA?
The driving distance is 104 mi and the route typically takes 2h 10m via I 5 and I 805. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is San Diego more expensive than Downey?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Diego is 1.5% lower than Downey (111.887 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in San Diego compare to Downey?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,090 in the San Diego MSA vs $50,490 in the Downey MSA, on total employment of 1,522,620 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 San Diego?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 104 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Downey vs San Diego?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,321 in San Diego vs $87,400 in Downey β a 19.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Downey.
City profiles: Downey, CA Β· San Diego, CA.