Downey CA vs Long Beach CA — 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%
Long Beach, CA
California · Population: 458,491
- Median HH Income$83,969
- Median Home Price$862,599
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+34.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Long Beach
36.8
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Long Beach
24.7%
White
Downey
21.0%
Long Beach
41.6%
Long Beach +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Long Beach
43.4%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 458,491 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 36.8 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 24.7% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 41.6% | Long Beach + |
| Black | 0.4% | 11.9% | Long Beach + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 12.8% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 43.4% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Long Beach
$42,370
Long Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Long Beach
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
Long Beach
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Long Beach
15.0%
Long Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Long Beach
34.8%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $83,969 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $42,370 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.5% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 15.0% | Long Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 34.8% | Long Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Long Beach
$862,599
Long Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Long Beach
40.9%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $862,599 | Long Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 40.9% | Long Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Long Beach
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Long Beach
2388
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Long Beach
11.7%
Long Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Long Beach
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Long Beach
15.7%
Long Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Long Beach
11.9%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 27.4% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.7% | Long Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 17.5% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 11.9% | Long Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.7% | Long Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.9% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Long Beach
64.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Long Beach
12.3 in
Long Beach +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 12.3 in | Long Beach + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Long Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Long Beach
32.6 min
Long Beach +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 32.6 min | Long Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, while long Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $862,599. On public safety, Long Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Downey has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Long Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Long Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.4%.
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