Moving from Downey, CA to San Jose, CA
Moving from Downey, CA to San Jose, CA covers 346 mi and about 6h 34m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
346 mi Β· 6h 34m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, CA 152 |
| Major cities en route | Fremont, Hayward, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Salinas |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Downey | San Jose | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 110.423 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 156.659 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 211.901 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Downey (113.566) and San Jose (110.423) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in San Jose: 2.8% above Downey on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Downey +1.2%, San Jose -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Downey | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 16.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in San Jose β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, SAN JOSE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Downey | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,793 | 990,054 |
| Median household income | $87,400 | $141,565 |
| Median age | 37 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 26.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 3.03 |
Median household income in San Jose is 2.8% above Downey ($87,400 vs $141,565, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Jose MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 161,790 | $175,110 |
| Management Occupations | 119,300 | $206,650 |
| Software Developers | 96,590 | $199,100 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 93,740 | $59,850 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 90,500 | $120,970 |
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 does the job market in San Jose compare to Downey?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $81,470 in the San Jose MSA vs $50,490 in the Downey MSA, on total employment of 1,141,820 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in San Jose compared to Downey?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,463,614 in San Jose vs $888,710 in Downey β a 64.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is San Jose more expensive than Downey?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Jose is 2.8% lower than Downey (110.423 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is San Jose, CA from Downey, CA?
The driving distance is 346 mi and the route typically takes 6h 34m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Downey to San Jose?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 346 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 Jose?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $141,565 in San Jose vs $87,400 in Downey β a 62.0% 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 Jose, CA.