Downey CA vs Lansing MI — 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%
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Downey +
Lansing
112,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Lansing
10.1%
White
Downey
21.0%
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Lansing
12.9%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 112,546 | Downey + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 33.5 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 10.1% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 56.1% | Lansing + |
| Black | 0.4% | 23.4% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.3% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 12.9% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Lansing
$52,170
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Lansing
$29,894
Lansing +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Lansing
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
Lansing
8.1%
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
Lansing
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Lansing
29.6%
Lansing +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $52,170 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $29,894 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 8.1% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 19.9% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 29.6% | Lansing + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $166,132 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 53.9% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Lansing
471
Lansing +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 471 | Lansing + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1590 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Lansing
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Lansing
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Lansing
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Lansing
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Lansing
16.8%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 39.9% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.4% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 19.6% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 9.3% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.4% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 16.8% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Lansing
48.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
Lansing
32.2 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 32.2 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Downey +
Lansing
55.0%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Downey + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 21.2 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Lansing is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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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