Downey CA vs El Paso TX — 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%
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
El Paso
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
El Paso
34.1
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
El Paso
22.3%
White
Downey
21.0%
El Paso
39.3%
El Paso +
Black
Downey
0.4%
El Paso
3.6%
El Paso +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Downey +
El Paso
1.5%
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
El Paso
81.3%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
El Paso
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 678,147 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 34.1 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 22.3% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 39.3% | El Paso + |
| Black | 0.4% | 3.6% | El Paso + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.5% | Downey + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 81.3% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
El Paso
$58,734
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
El Paso
$28,942
El Paso +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
El Paso
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
El Paso
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
El Paso
18.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
El Paso
27.5%
El Paso +
| Metric | Downey, CA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $58,734 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $28,942 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.2% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 18.4% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 27.5% | El Paso + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
| Metric | Downey, CA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $235,994 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 60.2% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
| Metric | Downey, CA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | El Paso + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | El Paso + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
El Paso
33.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
El Paso
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
El Paso
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Downey +
El Paso
27.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
El Paso
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
El Paso
12.2%
| Metric | Downey, CA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 33.8% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.4% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 17.2% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 27.9% | Downey + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.5% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.2% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
El Paso
64.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
| Metric | Downey, CA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 10.5 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Downey +
El Paso
55.0%
| Metric | Downey, CA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Downey + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
| Metric | Downey, CA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 25.1 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, El Paso is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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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