Downey CA vs Fayetteville AR — 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%
Fayetteville, AR
Arkansas · Population: 97,227
- Median HH Income$59,074
- Median Home Price$380,101
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+49.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Downey +
Fayetteville
97,227
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Fayetteville
5.7%
White
Downey
21.0%
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Fayetteville
5.2%
Fayetteville +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Fayetteville
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 97,227 | Downey + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 28.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 5.7% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 75.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 0.4% | 5.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 7.7% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Fayetteville
$59,074
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Fayetteville
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
Fayetteville
21.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $59,074 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $37,885 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $53,714 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 21.4% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 49.8% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Fayetteville
41.9%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $380,101 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 41.9% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Downey +
Fayetteville
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Downey +
Fayetteville
2507
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 660 | Downey + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2507 | Downey + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Fayetteville
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Fayetteville
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Fayetteville
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Fayetteville
12.0%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 33.5% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 7.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 20.8% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 10.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.6% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.0% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
Fayetteville
45.5 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 45.5 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Downey +
Fayetteville
55.0%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Downey + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 19.9 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Downey is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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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