Downey CA vs Huntsville AL — 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%
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Huntsville
36.4
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Huntsville
6.6%
White
Downey
21.0%
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Huntsville
2.0%
Huntsville +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Huntsville
8.1%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 218,814 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 36.4 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 6.6% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 58.4% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 0.4% | 29.7% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.0% | Huntsville + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 8.1% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Huntsville
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $70,778 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $44,733 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $51,690 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.3% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 13.8% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 46.2% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $288,707 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 58.1% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 400 | Huntsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1734 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Huntsville
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Huntsville
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Huntsville
16.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Huntsville
12.6%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 40.7% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.7% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 16.4% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 9.6% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.2% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.6% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Huntsville
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
Huntsville
54.3 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 54.3 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Huntsville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 21.0 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, Huntsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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