Downey CA vs Kansas City KS — 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%
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Kansas City
34.0
Tie
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Kansas City
18.6%
White
Downey
21.0%
Kansas City
44.0%
Kansas City +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Kansas City
35.0%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 154,776 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 34.0 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 18.6% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 44.0% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 0.4% | 20.4% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.3% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 35.0% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Kansas City
$59,183
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Kansas City
$28,059
Kansas City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Kansas City
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
Kansas City
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Kansas City
20.2%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $59,183 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $28,059 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,860 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.5% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 17.9% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 20.2% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $202,558 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 60.4% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 449 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2174 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Kansas City
41.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Kansas City
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Kansas City
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Downey +
Kansas City
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Kansas City
18.3%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 41.2% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.6% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 17.6% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 18.4% | Downey + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.3% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 18.3% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
Kansas City
38.1 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 38.1 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Kansas City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 23.7 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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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