Downey CA vs Durham NC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Downey, CA
California · Population: 114,617
- Median HH Income$68,378
- Median Home Price$888,820
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+10.6%
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Durham
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Durham
34.8
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Durham
15.3%
White
Downey
21.0%
Durham
44.0%
Durham +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Durham
14.7%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Durham
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 288,465 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 34.8 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 15.3% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 44.0% | Durham + |
| Black | 0.4% | 34.4% | Durham + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.6% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 14.7% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Durham
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $79,234 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $47,246 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.2% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 12.2% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 55.7% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $399,509 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 51.8% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Durham
398
Durham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Durham
1999
Durham +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Durham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Durham
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Durham
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Durham
11.2%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 36.8% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.2% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 16.2% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 10.7% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.6% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.2% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Durham
57.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
Durham
47.8 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 47.8 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Durham
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 24.3 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while durham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,509. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Downey, CA vs New York, NYDowney, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Downey, CADowney, CA vs Houston, TXDowney, CA vs Phoenix, AZDowney, CA vs Philadelphia, PA