Moving from Moreno Valley, CA to Downey, CA
The 63 mi from Moreno Valley to Downey translate to about 1h 18m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
63 mi Β· 1h 18m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 60, I 605, I 215 |
| Major cities en route | Murrieta, Temecula, Menifee, Riverside, San Bernardino |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Moreno Valley | Downey | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 6.7% pricier overall in Downey than Moreno Valley on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Downey typical home at $888,710 is 6.7% above Moreno Valley at $551,284 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Moreno Valley -1.5%, Downey +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Moreno Valley | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 10.7" | 12.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 63.3Β°F vs 64.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MARCH AFB, CA US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Moreno Valley | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,378 | 111,793 |
| Median household income | $87,477 | $87,400 |
| Median age | 32.1 | 37 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.1% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.84 | 3.22 |
Household income lines up β $87,477 vs $87,400 on ACS 5-year 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
Is Downey more expensive than Moreno Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Downey is 6.7% higher than Moreno Valley (113.566 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Moreno Valley to Downey?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 63 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Downey, CA from Moreno Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 63 mi and the route typically takes 1h 18m via CA 60 and I 605. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Moreno Valley vs Downey?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,400 in Downey vs $87,477 in Moreno Valley β a 0.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Downey compare to Moreno Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Downey MSA vs $47,450 in the Moreno Valley MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Downey compared to Moreno Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $888,710 in Downey vs $551,284 in Moreno Valley β a 61.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Moreno Valley.
City profiles: Moreno Valley, CA Β· Downey, CA.