Moving from Roseville, CA to Downey, CA
It is a 417 mi drive, roughly 7h 47m, between Roseville, 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.
417 mi Β· 7h 47m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 80 BUSINESS |
| Major cities en route | Sacramento, Elk Grove, Antioch, Stockton, Modesto |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Roseville | Downey | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.67 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 151.29 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 130.23 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Downey runs about 6.5% more expensive overall than Roseville β RPP 106.67 β 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $644,324 in Roseville to $888,710 in Downey, a 6.5% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Roseville -1.4%, Downey +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Roseville | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 38Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 18.0" | 12.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 61.2Β°F vs 64.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SACRAMENTO METRO AP, CA US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Roseville | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,438 | 111,793 |
| Median household income | $117,354 | $87,400 |
| Median age | 39.8 | 37 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.63 | 3.22 |
Downey households earn about 6.5% less than Roseville at the median β $117,354 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 Roseville vs Downey?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,400 in Downey vs $117,354 in Roseville β a 25.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Downey, CA from Roseville, CA?
The driving distance is 417 mi and the route typically takes 7h 47m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Roseville to Downey?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 417 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Downey compare to Roseville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Downey MSA vs $55,290 in the Roseville MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,048,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Downey compared to Roseville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $888,710 in Downey vs $644,324 in Roseville β a 37.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Downey more expensive than Roseville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Downey is 6.5% higher than Roseville (113.566 vs 106.67, 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 Roseville.
City profiles: Roseville, CA Β· Downey, CA.