Downey CA vs Elgin IL — 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%
Elgin, IL
Illinois · Population: 114,106
- Median HH Income$88,316
- Median Home Price$333,920
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+26.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Downey +
Elgin
114,106
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Elgin
36.3
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Elgin
26.5%
White
Downey
21.0%
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Elgin
48.4%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 114,106 | Downey + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 36.3 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 26.5% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 45.4% | Elgin + |
| Black | 0.4% | 5.2% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 6.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 48.4% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Elgin
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
Elgin
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Elgin
26.0%
Elgin +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $88,316 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $36,037 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.3% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 26.0% | Elgin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $333,920 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 344 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1842 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Elgin
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Elgin
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Downey +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Elgin
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Elgin
12.2%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 35.8% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.1% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 16.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 16.8% | Downey + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.1% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.2% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Elgin
48.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
Elgin
37.8 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 37.8 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Downey +
Elgin
55.0%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Downey + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Elgin
30.4 min
Elgin +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 30.4 min | Elgin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while elgin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $333,920. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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%.
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