Downey CA vs Moreno Valley 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%
Moreno Valley, CA
California · Population: 210,378
- Median HH Income$87,477
- Median Home Price$552,845
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+17.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Moreno Valley
210,378
Moreno Valley +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Moreno Valley
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Moreno Valley
32.1
Moreno Valley +
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Moreno Valley
23.9%
White
Downey
21.0%
Moreno Valley
22.4%
Moreno Valley +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Moreno Valley
17.6%
Moreno Valley +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Moreno Valley
5.5%
Moreno Valley +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Moreno Valley
59.7%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Moreno Valley
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 210,378 | Moreno Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 32.1 | Moreno Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 23.9% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 22.4% | Moreno Valley + |
| Black | 0.4% | 17.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.5% | Moreno Valley + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 59.7% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Moreno Valley
$87,477
Moreno Valley +
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Moreno Valley
$28,255
Moreno Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Moreno Valley
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
Moreno Valley
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Moreno Valley
11.8%
Moreno Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Moreno Valley
17.3%
Moreno Valley +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $87,477 | Moreno Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $28,255 | Moreno Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.4% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 11.8% | Moreno Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 17.3% | Moreno Valley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Moreno Valley
$552,845
Moreno Valley +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Moreno Valley
62.8%
Moreno Valley +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $552,845 | Moreno Valley + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 62.8% | Moreno Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Moreno Valley
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Moreno Valley
2388
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Moreno Valley, 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 +
Moreno Valley
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Moreno Valley
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Moreno Valley
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Downey +
Moreno Valley
15.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Moreno Valley
14.6%
Moreno Valley +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Moreno Valley
12.5%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 39.6% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.6% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 19.0% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 15.6% | Downey + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.5% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Moreno Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Moreno Valley
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Moreno Valley, CA | 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
Moreno Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Moreno Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Moreno Valley, 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
Downey +
Moreno Valley
36.9 min
| Metric | Downey, CA | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 36.9 min | Downey + |
Which City is Right for You?
Moreno Valley leads in median household income at $87,477, while moreno Valley offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $552,845. On public safety, Moreno Valley 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 Moreno Valley 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