Downey CA vs Jersey City NJ — 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%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Jersey City
34.7
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Downey
21.0%
Jersey City
28.7%
Jersey City +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Jersey City
25.7%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 34.7 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 21.0% | 28.7% | Jersey City + |
| Black | 0.4% | 21.4% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 25.7% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.8% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 15.6% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Jersey City
$664,939
Jersey City +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Downey +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $664,939 | Jersey City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 28.8% | Downey + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Jersey City
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Jersey City
10.3%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 12.0% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.3% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.3% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Jersey City, NJ | 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 +
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Downey +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Downey, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 40.3 min | Downey + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while jersey City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $664,939. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Downey has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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