Downey CA vs Little Rock AR — 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%
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Little Rock
7.9%
White
Downey
21.0%
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 202,739 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 36.4 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 7.9% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 46.4% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 0.4% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.0% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 10.4% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Little Rock
$60,583
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $60,583 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $53,714 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 16.4% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 54.2% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Downey +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Downey +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Downey, CA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 660 | Downey + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2507 | Downey + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Little Rock
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Little Rock
13.3%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 40.5% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.1% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 17.5% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 11.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.3% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 50.0 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Downey +
Little Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Downey + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Downey is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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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