Downey CA vs Kirkland WA — 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%
Kirkland, WA
Washington · Population: 57,088
- Median HH Income$87,277
- Median Home Price$1,274,801
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Downey +
Kirkland
57,088
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Kirkland
37.7
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Kirkland
12.4%
White
Downey
21.0%
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Kirkland
6.1%
Kirkland +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Kirkland
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 57,088 | Downey + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 37.7 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 12.4% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 66.8% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 0.4% | 6.1% | Kirkland + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 10.0% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 12.7% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Kirkland
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Kirkland
32.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $87,277 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $41,024 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.1% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 11.0% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 32.2% | Kirkland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Downey +
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $1,274,801 | Downey + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 57.2% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Downey +
Kirkland
3409
| Metric | Downey, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Downey + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Kirkland
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 21.8% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 6.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 14.2% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 5.3% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.1% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 6.3% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Kirkland, WA | 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
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Kirkland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Kirkland
28.2 min
Kirkland +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 28.2 min | Kirkland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while downey offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $888,820. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Kirkland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Kirkland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kirkland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.8%.
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