Moving from Norman, OK to Downey, CA
It is 1351 mi between Norman and Downey β roughly 23h 30m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1351 mi Β· 23h 30m by car Β· OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 66 HIST, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Victorville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Norman | Downey | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.408 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.067 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.885 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 90.408 in Norman to 113.566 in Downey, putting overall prices 25.6% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 25.6% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $262,839 to $888,710 moving to Downey.
YoY change: Norman +2.0%, Downey +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Norman | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.7" | 12.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Norman (60.7Β°F) and Downey (64.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NORMAN 3SSE, OK US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Norman | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 111,793 |
| Median household income | $65,060 | $87,400 |
| Median age | 31.6 | 37 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.2% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 3.22 |
Downey households earn about 25.6% more than Norman at the median β $65,060 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.
Moving between Oklahoma and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Downey more expensive than Norman?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Downey is 25.6% higher than Norman (113.566 vs 90.408, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Downey compared to Norman?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $888,710 in Downey vs $262,839 in Norman β a 238.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Downey, CA from Norman, OK?
The driving distance is 1351 mi and the route typically takes 23h 30m via I 40 and US 66 HIST. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Norman vs Downey?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,400 in Downey vs $65,060 in Norman β a 34.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Downey compare to Norman?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Downey MSA vs $44,030 in the Norman MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 656,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Norman to Downey?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1351 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 Norman.
City profiles: Norman, OK Β· Downey, CA.