Moving from Virginia Beach, VA to Downey, CA
Moving from Virginia Beach, VA to Downey, CA is a 2724 mi cross-country relocation β about 47h 59m of driving through 8 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.
2724 mi Β· 47h 59m by car Β· VA β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Chesapeake, Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Virginia Beach | Downey | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 16.0% pricier overall in Downey than Virginia Beach 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 16.0% above Virginia Beach at $427,032 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Virginia Beach +2.8%, Downey +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Virginia Beach | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 32Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 12.0" |
Downey runs 5.1Β°F warmer on the annual average (59.8Β°F vs 64.9Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OCEANA NAS, VA US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Virginia Beach | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 457,066 | 111,793 |
| Median household income | $90,685 | $87,400 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 37 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 3.22 |
Household income lines up β $90,685 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.
Moving between Virginia 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
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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 the job market in Downey compare to Virginia Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Downey MSA vs $46,990 in the Virginia Beach MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Downey, CA from Virginia Beach, VA?
The driving distance is 2724 mi and the route typically takes 47h 59m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Downey compared to Virginia Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $888,710 in Downey vs $427,032 in Virginia Beach β a 108.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Virginia Beach vs Downey?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,400 in Downey vs $90,685 in Virginia Beach β a 3.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Downey more expensive than Virginia Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Downey is 16.0% higher than Virginia Beach (113.566 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Virginia Beach to Downey?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2724 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 Virginia Beach.
City profiles: Virginia Beach, VA Β· Downey, CA.