Moving from St. Louis, MO to Downey, CA
Moving from St. Louis, MO to Downey, CA is a 1823 mi cross-country relocation β about 31h 40m of driving through 6 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1823 mi Β· 31h 40m by car Β· MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, US 50 |
| Major cities en route | Springfield, Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma City, Norman |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Louis | Downey | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.088 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 69.921 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.996 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.024 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 95.088 in St. Louis to 113.566 in Downey, a 19.4% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Louis β, Downey +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Louis | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 43.9" | 12.0" |
Downey runs 6.9Β°F warmer on the annual average (58.0Β°F vs 64.9Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Louis | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 111,793 |
| Median household income | $55,279 | $87,400 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 37 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.03 | 3.22 |
Median household income in Downey is 19.4% above St. Louis ($55,279 vs $87,400, 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.
Moving between Missouri 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 does household income compare in St. Louis vs Downey?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,400 in Downey vs $55,279 in St. Louis β a 58.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Downey, CA from St. Louis, MO?
The driving distance is 1823 mi and the route typically takes 31h 40m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Downey more expensive than St. Louis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Downey is 19.4% higher than St. Louis (113.566 vs 95.088, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from St. Louis to Downey?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1823 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 St. Louis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Downey MSA vs $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,325,480 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 St. Louis.
City profiles: St. Louis, MO Β· Downey, CA.