Downey CA vs Fremont 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%
Fremont, CA
California · Population: 228,518
- Median HH Income$176,350
- Median Home Price$1,538,830
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+62.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Fremont
228,518
Fremont +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Fremont
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Fremont
38.8
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Fremont
50.1%
Fremont +
White
Downey
21.0%
Downey +
Fremont
19.4%
Black
Downey
0.4%
Fremont
2.9%
Fremont +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Fremont
62.5%
Fremont +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Fremont
12.9%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Fremont
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 228,518 | Fremont + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 38.8 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 50.1% | Fremont + |
| White | 21.0% | 19.4% | Downey + |
| Black | 0.4% | 2.9% | Fremont + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 62.5% | Fremont + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 12.9% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Fremont
$176,350
Fremont +
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Fremont
$73,378
Fremont +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Fremont
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Fremont
4.3%
Fremont +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Fremont
5.1%
Fremont +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Fremont
62.7%
Fremont +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $176,350 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $73,378 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.3% | Fremont + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 5.1% | Fremont + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 62.7% | Fremont + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Downey +
Fremont
$1,538,830
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Fremont
60.2%
Fremont +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $1,538,830 | Downey + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 60.2% | Fremont + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Fremont
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Fremont
2388
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fremont, 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%
Fremont
17.3%
Fremont +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Fremont
9.8%
Fremont +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Fremont
12.7%
Fremont +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Fremont
4.9%
Fremont +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Fremont
13.9%
Fremont +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Fremont
7.3%
Fremont +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 17.3% | Fremont + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.8% | Fremont + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 12.7% | Fremont + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 4.9% | Fremont + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.9% | Fremont + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 7.3% | Fremont + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Fremont
59.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
Fremont
16.7 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 59.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 16.7 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Fremont
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Fremont
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fremont, 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
Downey +
Fremont
33.9 min
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 33.9 min | Downey + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fremont leads in median household income at $176,350, while downey offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $888,820. On public safety, Fremont is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Fremont has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Fremont has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fremont scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.3%.
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