Moving from Palm Bay, FL to Downey, CA
A 2574 mi cross-country move between Palm Bay and Downey is 45h 19m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2574 mi Β· 45h 19m by car Β· FL β AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Orlando, Gainesville, Tallahassee, Mobile, New Orleans |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palm Bay | Downey | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.005 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.064 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.731 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 13.6% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 13.6% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $302,461 to $888,710 moving to Downey.
YoY change: Palm Bay -4.0%, Downey +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Palm Bay | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 73Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 55.6" | 12.0" |
Annual temperature drops 7.7Β°F moving to Downey per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PALM BAY, FL US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palm Bay | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 111,793 |
| Median household income | $67,521 | $87,400 |
| Median age | 41.3 | 37 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.4% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.82 | 3.22 |
Downey households earn about 13.6% more than Palm Bay at the median β $67,521 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 Florida 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
How far is Downey, CA from Palm Bay, FL?
The driving distance is 2574 mi and the route typically takes 45h 19m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Palm Bay vs Downey?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,400 in Downey vs $67,521 in Palm Bay β a 29.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Palm Bay to Downey?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2574 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Downey more expensive than Palm Bay?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Downey is 13.6% higher than Palm Bay (113.566 vs 100.005, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Downey compared to Palm Bay?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $888,710 in Downey vs $302,461 in Palm Bay β a 193.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Downey compare to Palm Bay?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Downey MSA vs $46,290 in the Palm Bay MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 236,890 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Palm Bay.
City profiles: Palm Bay, FL Β· Downey, CA.