Downey CA vs Escondido CA — 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%
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Downey +
Escondido
107,066
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Escondido
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Escondido
38.1
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
White
Downey
21.0%
Downey +
Escondido
13.7%
Black
Downey
0.4%
Escondido
0.6%
Escondido +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Escondido
65.1%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Escondido
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 107,066 | Downey + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 38.1 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 49.7% | Escondido + |
| White | 21.0% | 13.7% | Downey + |
| Black | 0.4% | 0.6% | Escondido + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 29.3% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 65.1% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Escondido
$64,484
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Escondido
$24,356
Escondido +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Escondido
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
Escondido
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
Escondido
17.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Escondido
14.7%
Escondido +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $64,484 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $24,356 | Escondido + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.4% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 17.2% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 14.7% | Escondido + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Escondido
$849,335
Escondido +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Escondido
40.1%
Escondido +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $849,335 | Escondido + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 40.1% | Escondido + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Escondido
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Escondido
2388
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Escondido
28.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Escondido
11.3%
Escondido +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Escondido
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Escondido
14.1%
Escondido +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Escondido
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Escondido
12.2%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 28.1% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.3% | Escondido + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 18.0% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 14.1% | Escondido + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.2% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.2% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Escondido
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Escondido
11.1 in
Escondido +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 11.1 in | Escondido + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Escondido
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Escondido
31.6 min
Escondido +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 31.6 min | Escondido + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, while escondido offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $849,335. On public safety, Escondido is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Downey has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Escondido 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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