Downey CA vs Montgomery AL — 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Montgomery
36.2
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Downey
21.0%
Montgomery
27.7%
Montgomery +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 198,440 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 36.2 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 5.5% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 27.7% | Montgomery + |
| Black | 0.4% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.3% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 4.8% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Montgomery
$55,687
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Montgomery
$32,068
Montgomery +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
Montgomery
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
Montgomery
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $55,687 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $32,068 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $51,690 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.5% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 20.9% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 33.5% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 54.3% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 400 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1734 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Montgomery
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Montgomery
15.3%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 46.4% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.7% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 17.6% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 11.0% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 15.3% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 52.8 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 22.0 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Montgomery is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Downey has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, 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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