Downey CA vs New Orleans LA — 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 Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Downey
21.0%
New Orleans
31.6%
New Orleans +
Black
Downey
0.4%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 38.4 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 6.6% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 31.6% | New Orleans + |
| Black | 0.4% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.8% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 7.9% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Downey, CA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $55,339 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $55,297 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.8% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 22.6% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Downey, CA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 50.5% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Downey +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Downey +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Downey, CA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 643 | Downey + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2824 | Downey + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
New Orleans
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Downey, CA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 34.0% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.1% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 19.4% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 19.7% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 15.5% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 66.6 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
| Metric | Downey, CA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 24.6 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Downey is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. 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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