Downey CA vs Miami FL — 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%
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Miami
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Miami
39.7
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
White
Downey
21.0%
Miami
34.2%
Miami +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Miami
13.7%
Miami +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Miami
1.6%
Miami +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Miami
71.2%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Miami
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 446,663 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 39.7 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 57.7% | Miami + |
| White | 21.0% | 34.2% | Miami + |
| Black | 0.4% | 13.7% | Miami + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.6% | Miami + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 71.2% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Miami
$59,390
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Miami
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Miami
5.0%
Miami +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
Miami
19.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Miami
35.6%
Miami +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $59,390 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $42,528 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.0% | Miami + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 19.2% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 35.6% | Miami + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Miami
$580,996
Miami +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Downey +
Miami
30.7%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $580,996 | Miami + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 30.7% | Downey + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Miami
324
Miami +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Miami
1453
Miami +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Miami
29.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Miami
15.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Downey +
Miami
27.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Miami
15.3%
Miami +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Miami
12.3%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 29.9% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.5% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 15.0% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 27.2% | Downey + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.3% | Miami + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.3% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Miami
75.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
Miami
64.1 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 75.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 64.1 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Miami
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Miami
29.9 min
Miami +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 29.9 min | Miami + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, while miami offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,996. On public safety, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Miami has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Downey scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.6%.
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