Austin 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Downey
114,617
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Downey
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Downey
21.0%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Austin +
Downey
0.4%
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Downey
1.5%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Downey
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 114,617 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 34.0 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 39.4% | Downey + |
| White | 59.9% | 21.0% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 0.4% | Austin + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 1.5% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 95.6% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Downey
$68,378
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Downey
$23,265
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Downey
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Downey
16.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Downey
10.6%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $68,378 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $23,265 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.0% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 16.6% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 10.6% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Austin +
Downey
$888,820
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Austin +
Downey
33.7%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $888,820 | Austin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 33.7% | Austin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Austin +
Downey
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Austin +
Downey
2388
| Metric | Austin, TX | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Austin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Austin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Downey
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Downey
14.8%
Downey +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Downey
9.9%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 27.6% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 11.8% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 16.1% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.8% | Downey + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.1% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.9% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Downey
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 14.3 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Downey
75.0%
Downey +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
25.8 min
Austin +
Downey
33.1 min
| Metric | Austin, TX | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 33.1 min | Austin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while austin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $511,264. On public safety, Austin is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, 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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