Downey CA vs Gresham OR — 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%
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Downey +
Gresham
112,818
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Gresham
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Gresham
37.2
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Gresham
16.5%
White
Downey
21.0%
Gresham
67.7%
Gresham +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Gresham
4.4%
Gresham +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Gresham
5.7%
Gresham +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Gresham
21.1%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Gresham
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 112,818 | Downey + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 37.2 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 16.5% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 67.7% | Gresham + |
| Black | 0.4% | 4.4% | Gresham + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.7% | Gresham + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 21.1% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Gresham
$73,608
Gresham +
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Gresham
$35,390
Gresham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Gresham
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Gresham
5.3%
Gresham +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Gresham
12.7%
Gresham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Gresham
23.6%
Gresham +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $73,608 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $35,390 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,691 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.3% | Gresham + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 12.7% | Gresham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 23.6% | Gresham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Gresham
$472,119
Gresham +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Gresham
56.1%
Gresham +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $472,119 | Gresham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 56.1% | Gresham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Gresham
355
Gresham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Downey +
Gresham
3001
| Metric | Downey, CA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 355 | Gresham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3001 | Downey + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Gresham
31.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Gresham
11.3%
Gresham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Gresham
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Gresham
11.0%
Gresham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Gresham
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Gresham
15.3%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 31.2% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.3% | Gresham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 20.4% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 11.0% | Gresham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.2% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 15.3% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Gresham
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Gresham
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Downey +
Gresham
55.0%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Downey + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Gresham
28.8 min
Gresham +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 28.8 min | Gresham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gresham leads in median household income at $73,608, while gresham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $472,119. On public safety, Gresham is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Gresham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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