Downey CA vs Las Cruces NM — 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%
Las Cruces, NM
New Mexico · Population: 112,612
- Median HH Income$55,176
- Median Home Price$290,963
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Downey +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Las Cruces
10.1%
White
Downey
21.0%
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Las Cruces
2.6%
Las Cruces +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Las Cruces
1.9%
Las Cruces +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Las Cruces
59.4%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 112,612 | Downey + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 10.1% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 54.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 0.4% | 2.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 59.4% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Las Cruces
$30,804
Las Cruces +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $55,176 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $30,804 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $53,141 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.4% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 22.0% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 55.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Downey +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Downey +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Downey, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 834 | Downey + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3177 | Downey + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Las Cruces
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Downey +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Las Cruces
12.1%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 35.4% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.0% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 17.7% | Downey + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.1% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.8°F | - |
| 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
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Downey is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Downey has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Downey scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.6%.
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