Downey CA vs Modesto 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%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Modesto
35.4
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Modesto
18.7%
White
Downey
21.0%
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Modesto
4.7%
Modesto +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Modesto
43.9%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 218,614 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.4 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 18.7% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 50.8% | Modesto + |
| Black | 0.4% | 4.7% | Modesto + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 43.9% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Modesto
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Modesto
20.3%
Modesto +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $77,899 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $34,656 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.3% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 20.3% | Modesto + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $447,353 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 58.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Modesto
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Modesto
2388
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Modesto, 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%
Downey +
Modesto
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Modesto
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Modesto
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Modesto
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Modesto
13.7%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 36.2% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.1% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 19.0% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.5% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.7% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Modesto
63.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 13.1 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Modesto, 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
Modesto
30.5 min
Modesto +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 30.5 min | Modesto + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while modesto offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $447,353. On public safety, Modesto 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 Modesto 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%.
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