Downey CA vs Independence MO — 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%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Independence
5.3%
White
Downey
21.0%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Downey +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Independence
12.4%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 121,944 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 38.4 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 5.3% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 0.4% | 10.8% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.4% | Downey + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 12.4% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Independence
$59,480
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Independence
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
Independence
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Independence
20.9%
Independence +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $59,480 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $31,683 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,527 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.0% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 15.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 20.9% | Independence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Independence
501
Independence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Downey +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Downey, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 501 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2418 | Downey + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Independence
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Independence
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 37.3% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.9% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 19.9% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 11.5% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.8% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 18.4% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Independence
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
Independence
43.7 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 43.7 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Downey +
Independence
55.0%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Downey + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 25.5 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Independence is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Downey has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, 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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