Downey CA vs Fayetteville 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%
Fayetteville, NC
North Carolina · Population: 209,692
- Median HH Income$56,395
- Median Home Price$226,710
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Fayetteville
7.6%
White
Downey
21.0%
Fayetteville
38.3%
Fayetteville +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Fayetteville
13.0%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 209,692 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 30.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 7.6% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 38.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 0.4% | 42.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 13.0% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Fayetteville
$56,395
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Fayetteville
$31,467
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Fayetteville
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
Fayetteville
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
Fayetteville
18.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Fayetteville
28.6%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $56,395 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $31,467 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 8.2% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 18.1% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 28.6% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Fayetteville
46.5%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $226,710 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 46.5% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Fayetteville
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Fayetteville
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Fayetteville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Fayetteville
14.9%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 40.4% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.6% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 18.8% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 11.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 14.9% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
Fayetteville
45.4 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 45.4 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Fayetteville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fayetteville, 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
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 20.6 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 $226,710. On public safety, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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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