Moving from Downey, CA to Stockton, CA
Relocating between Downey, CA and Stockton, CA is a 352 mi drive β 6h 31m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
352 mi Β· 6h 31m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Antioch, Modesto, Bakersfield, Lancaster, Santa Clarita |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Downey | Stockton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 105.089 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 158.247 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 115.614 | 100.0 |
Expect about 7.5% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Stockton at 105.089 vs Downey at 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 7.5% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $888,710 to $431,328 moving to Stockton.
YoY change: Downey +1.2%, Stockton -3.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Downey | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 17.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Downey (64.9Β°F) and Stockton (63.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Stockton 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, STOCKTON FIRE STN 4, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Downey | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,793 | 320,470 |
| Median household income | $87,400 | $76,851 |
| Median age | 37 | 33.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 13% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 3.26 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 7.5% lower in Stockton than Downey.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Stockton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 57,370 | $47,990 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 29,980 | $48,070 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,030 | $34,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 20,670 | $37,090 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 18,640 | $47,930 |
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 Stockton average 95Β°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
When is the best time to move from Downey to Stockton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 352 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 Stockton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,851 in Stockton vs $87,400 in Downey β a 12.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Stockton compared to Downey?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $431,328 in Stockton vs $888,710 in Downey β a 51.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Stockton, CA from Downey, CA?
The driving distance is 352 mi and the route typically takes 6h 31m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Stockton compare to Downey?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,370 in the Stockton MSA vs $50,490 in the Downey MSA, on total employment of 278,010 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Stockton more expensive than Downey?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Stockton is 7.5% lower than Downey (105.089 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Downey.
City profiles: Downey, CA Β· Stockton, CA.