Downey CA vs Miami Gardens 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 Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Downey +
Miami Gardens
11,627
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Miami Gardens
37.7
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Miami Gardens
29.1%
White
Downey
21.0%
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Miami Gardens +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Miami Gardens +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Miami Gardens +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 11,627 | Downey + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 37.7 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 29.1% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 52.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Black | 0.4% | 15.3% | Miami Gardens + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 34.0% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $137,873 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $57,003 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.5% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 7.9% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 64.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Miami Gardens +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $472,888 | Miami Gardens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 86.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Miami Gardens
324
Miami Gardens +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Miami Gardens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Miami Gardens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Miami Gardens
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Downey +
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Miami Gardens
15.4%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 34.3% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 17.3% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 17.5% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 22.4% | Downey + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.7% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 15.4% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| 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
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami Gardens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 29.2 min | Miami Gardens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while miami Gardens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $472,888. On public safety, Miami Gardens is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Downey has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Miami Gardens 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%.
Compare More Cities
Downey, CA vs New York, NYDowney, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Downey, CADowney, CA vs Houston, TXDowney, CA vs Phoenix, AZDowney, CA vs Philadelphia, PA