Downey CA vs Las Vegas NV — 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 Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Las Vegas
20.9%
White
Downey
21.0%
Las Vegas
49.2%
Las Vegas +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Las Vegas
34.1%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 38.5 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 20.9% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 49.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Black | 0.4% | 11.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 34.1% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Las Vegas
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Las Vegas
27.3%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $70,723 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $38,421 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,696 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.2% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 27.3% | Las Vegas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Las Vegas
$426,069
Las Vegas +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $426,069 | Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 55.7% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Las Vegas
460
Las Vegas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Downey +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Downey, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 460 | Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2417 | Downey + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Las Vegas
32.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Las Vegas
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Las Vegas
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Downey +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Las Vegas
15.6%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 32.4% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.5% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 19.5% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 17.0% | Downey + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 15.6% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Las Vegas
27.7 min
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 27.7 min | Las Vegas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, while las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $426,069. On public safety, Las Vegas is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Downey has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Downey scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.6%.
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