Arlington TX 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)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
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
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Downey
114,617
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Downey
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Downey
34.0
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
White
Arlington
43.2%
Arlington +
Downey
21.0%
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Downey
0.4%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Downey
1.5%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Downey
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 114,617 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 34.0 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 39.4% | Downey + |
| White | 43.2% | 21.0% | Arlington + |
| Black | 22.4% | 0.4% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 1.5% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 95.6% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Downey
$68,378
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Arlington +
Downey
$23,265
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Arlington +
Downey
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Downey
16.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Arlington +
Downey
10.6%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $68,378 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $23,265 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.0% | Arlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 16.6% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 10.6% | Arlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Downey
$888,820
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Downey
33.7%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $888,820 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 33.7% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Arlington +
Downey
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Arlington +
Downey
2388
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Arlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Arlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Downey
14.8%
Downey +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Arlington +
Downey
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 27.6% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.8% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 16.1% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 14.8% | Downey + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.1% | Arlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 9.9% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Downey
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 14.3 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Downey
75.0%
Downey +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Downey + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Arlington +
Downey
33.1 min
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 33.1 min | Arlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, while arlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,683. On public safety, Arlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Arlington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, 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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