Downey CA vs New Haven CT — 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 Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
New Haven
132,893
New Haven +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
New Haven
17.7%
White
Downey
21.0%
New Haven
36.8%
New Haven +
Black
Downey
0.4%
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
New Haven
31.2%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 132,893 | New Haven + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 31.9 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 17.7% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 36.8% | New Haven + |
| Black | 0.4% | 30.6% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.2% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 31.2% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
New Haven
$53,771
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
New Haven
$34,482
New Haven +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
New Haven
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
New Haven
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
| Metric | Downey, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $53,771 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $34,482 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,393 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.7% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 25.0% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 37.7% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
New Haven
$330,564
New Haven +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Downey +
New Haven
28.4%
| Metric | Downey, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $330,564 | New Haven + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 28.4% | Downey + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
| Metric | Downey, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 156 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1524 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
New Haven
37.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
New Haven
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
New Haven
14.7%
New Haven +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
New Haven
13.2%
| Metric | Downey, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 37.9% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.7% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 18.9% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 14.7% | New Haven + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.2% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.2% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
New Haven
52.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
New Haven
47.1 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 47.1 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
New Haven
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
| Metric | Downey, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 23.0 min | New Haven + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, while new Haven offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $330,564. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Downey has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 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