Downey CA vs Henderson NV — 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%
Henderson, NV
Nevada · Population: 324,523
- Median HH Income$88,654
- Median Home Price$487,098
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Henderson
324,523
Henderson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Henderson
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Henderson
42.5
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Henderson
14.1%
White
Downey
21.0%
Henderson
64.7%
Henderson +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Henderson
6.2%
Henderson +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Henderson
9.5%
Henderson +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Henderson
18.3%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Henderson
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 324,523 | Henderson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 42.5 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 14.1% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 64.7% | Henderson + |
| Black | 0.4% | 6.2% | Henderson + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 9.5% | Henderson + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 18.3% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Henderson
$88,654
Henderson +
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Henderson
$49,141
Henderson +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Henderson
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
Henderson
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Henderson
8.4%
Henderson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Henderson
36.8%
Henderson +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $88,654 | Henderson + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $49,141 | Henderson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,696 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.7% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 8.4% | Henderson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 36.8% | Henderson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Henderson
$487,098
Henderson +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Henderson
65.6%
Henderson +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $487,098 | Henderson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 65.6% | Henderson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Henderson
460
Henderson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Downey +
Henderson
2417
| Metric | Downey, CA | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 460 | Henderson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2417 | Downey + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Henderson
28.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Henderson
10.9%
Henderson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Henderson
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Henderson
10.3%
Henderson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Henderson
15.6%
Henderson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Henderson
12.8%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 28.9% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.9% | Henderson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 17.5% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 10.3% | Henderson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.6% | Henderson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.8% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Henderson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Henderson
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Henderson, NV | 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
Henderson
5.2 µg/m³
Henderson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Henderson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Henderson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Henderson
26.0 min
Henderson +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 26.0 min | Henderson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Henderson leads in median household income at $88,654, while henderson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $487,098. On public safety, Henderson is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Downey has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Henderson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 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