Downey CA vs Lakeland FL — 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Downey +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Lakeland
12.9%
White
Downey
21.0%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Lakeland
14.4%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 82,506 | Downey + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 48.4 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 12.9% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 0.4% | 8.8% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 14.4% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Lakeland
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Lakeland
26.8%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $60,465 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $36,322 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 26.8% | Lakeland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $312,001 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Lakeland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Downey +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Lakeland
14.1%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 38.9% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.3% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 18.3% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 16.4% | Downey + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 14.1% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 54.8 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 25.6 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Downey scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.6%.
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