Albany GA vs Downey CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Downey, CA
California · Population: 114,617
- Median HH Income$68,378
- Median Home Price$888,820
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+10.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Downey
114,617
Downey +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Downey
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
White
Albany
18.9%
Downey
21.0%
Downey +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Downey
0.4%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Downey
1.5%
Downey +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Downey
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 114,617 | Downey + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.0 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 39.4% | Downey + |
| White | 18.9% | 21.0% | Downey + |
| Black | 76.3% | 0.4% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 1.5% | Downey + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 95.6% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Albany +
Downey
$23,265
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Albany +
Downey
10.6%
| Metric | Albany, GA | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $68,378 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $23,265 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 6.0% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 16.6% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 10.6% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Downey
$888,820
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Albany +
Downey
33.7%
| Metric | Albany, GA | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $888,820 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 33.7% | Albany + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Downey
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
Downey
2388
| Metric | Albany, GA | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Downey
14.8%
Downey +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Downey
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 27.6% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.8% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 16.1% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.8% | Downey + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 16.1% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 9.9% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Downey
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 14.3 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Downey
75.0%
Downey +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Downey + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Downey
33.1 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 33.1 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Downey has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Downey has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Downey scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.6%.
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