Moving from El Cajon, CA to Downey, CA
It is a 118 mi drive, roughly 2h 21m, between El Cajon, CA and Downey, 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.
118 mi Β· 2h 21m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 73, CA 52 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Glendale, Pasadena, Inglewood, Burbank |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| El Cajon | Downey | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.887 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 174.247 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.963 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 179.267 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 1.5% above El Cajon β $816,317 β $888,710 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: El Cajon -2.1%, Downey +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | El Cajon | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 12.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: EL CAJON, CA US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | El Cajon | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 104,909 | 111,793 |
| Median household income | $66,478 | $87,400 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 37 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.3% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.09 | 3.22 |
Downey households earn about 1.5% more than El Cajon at the median β $66,478 β $87,400 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Downey MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
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: Downey sees only 12.0 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 does household income compare in El Cajon vs Downey?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,400 in Downey vs $66,478 in El Cajon β a 31.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Downey compared to El Cajon?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $888,710 in Downey vs $816,317 in El Cajon β a 8.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Downey compare to El Cajon?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Downey MSA vs $53,090 in the El Cajon MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,522,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Downey, CA from El Cajon, CA?
The driving distance is 118 mi and the route typically takes 2h 21m via I 5 and CA 73. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Downey more expensive than El Cajon?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Downey is 1.5% higher than El Cajon (113.566 vs 111.887, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from El Cajon to Downey?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 118 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from El Cajon.
City profiles: El Cajon, CA Β· Downey, CA.