Downey CA vs New Bedford MA — 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%
New Bedford, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,731
- Median HH Income$56,025
- Median Home Price$439,767
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+16.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Downey +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
New Bedford
20.7%
White
Downey
21.0%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Downey
0.4%
New Bedford
6.0%
New Bedford +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
New Bedford
1.5%
New Bedford +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
New Bedford
24.5%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 100,731 | Downey + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 37.0 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 20.7% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 0.4% | 6.0% | New Bedford + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.5% | New Bedford + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 24.5% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
New Bedford
$30,475
New Bedford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
New Bedford
16.8%
New Bedford +
| Metric | Downey, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $56,025 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $30,475 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.6% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 19.9% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 16.8% | New Bedford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
New Bedford
$439,767
New Bedford +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
New Bedford
40.0%
New Bedford +
| Metric | Downey, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $439,767 | New Bedford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 40.0% | New Bedford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Downey, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Downey, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 36.3% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.2% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 22.0% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 11.1% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.0% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 21.4% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
New Bedford
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 51.9 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
New Bedford
27.2 min
New Bedford +
| Metric | Downey, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 27.2 min | New Bedford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, while new Bedford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $439,767. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Downey has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and New Bedford 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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