Downey CA vs Fort Lauderdale FL — 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%
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
White
Downey
21.0%
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Fort Lauderdale +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 183,032 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 42.9 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 26.7% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 51.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Black | 0.4% | 28.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 20.1% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $79,935 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $57,845 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 15.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 39.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Fort Lauderdale +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $510,297 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 53.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 30.3% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.8% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 16.2% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 14.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.0% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 75.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 66.5 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 28.5 min | Fort Lauderdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while fort Lauderdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,297. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Downey scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.6%.
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