Downey CA vs Grand Rapids MI — 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%
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Grand Rapids
11.3%
White
Downey
21.0%
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 197,768 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 32.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 11.3% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 61.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 0.4% | 17.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 16.1% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $65,526 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $33,953 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 18.6% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 40.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $309,801 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 54.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Grand Rapids
471
Grand Rapids +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 471 | Grand Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1590 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Grand Rapids
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Grand Rapids
14.0%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 36.4% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 18.9% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 9.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.6% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 14.0% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 38.3 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Downey +
Grand Rapids
55.0%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Downey + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 21.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Grand Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, 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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