Downey CA vs Hartford CT — 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%
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Hartford
119,970
Hartford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Hartford
23.0%
White
Downey
21.0%
Hartford
26.4%
Hartford +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Hartford
2.3%
Hartford +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Hartford
44.8%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 119,970 | Hartford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 33.4 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 23.0% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 26.4% | Hartford + |
| Black | 0.4% | 36.1% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.3% | Hartford + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 44.8% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Hartford
$27,319
Hartford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Hartford
18.3%
Hartford +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $45,300 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $27,319 | Hartford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 10.6% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 25.5% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 18.3% | Hartford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Downey +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $199,359 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 25.8% | Downey + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1524 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Downey +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Hartford
16.3%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 40.4% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.8% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 20.8% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 20.3% | Downey + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 16.3% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Hartford
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
Hartford
45.9 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 45.9 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 24.4 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Downey has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Downey scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.6%.
Compare More Cities
Downey, CA vs New York, NYDowney, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Downey, CADowney, CA vs Houston, TXDowney, CA vs Phoenix, AZDowney, CA vs Philadelphia, PA