Downey CA vs New Rochelle NY — 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 Rochelle, NY
New York · Population: 48,198
- Median HH Income$48,535
- Median Home Price$920,484
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Downey +
New Rochelle
48,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
New Rochelle
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
New Rochelle
40.7
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
New Rochelle
4.6%
White
Downey
21.0%
New Rochelle
66.1%
New Rochelle +
Black
Downey
0.4%
New Rochelle
17.8%
New Rochelle +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
New Rochelle
2.3%
New Rochelle +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
New Rochelle
8.0%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
New Rochelle
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 48,198 | Downey + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 40.7 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 4.6% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 66.1% | New Rochelle + |
| Black | 0.4% | 17.8% | New Rochelle + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.3% | New Rochelle + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 8.0% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
New Rochelle
$48,535
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
New Rochelle
$30,033
New Rochelle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
New Rochelle
$77,425
New Rochelle +
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
New Rochelle
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
New Rochelle
23.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
New Rochelle
22.8%
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Downey, CA | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $48,535 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $30,033 | New Rochelle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | New Rochelle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 9.7% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 23.7% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 22.8% | New Rochelle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Downey +
New Rochelle
$920,484
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
New Rochelle
57.5%
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Downey, CA | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $920,484 | Downey + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 57.5% | New Rochelle + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
New Rochelle
434
New Rochelle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
New Rochelle
1736
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Downey, CA | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | New Rochelle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | New Rochelle + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
New Rochelle
26.6%
New Rochelle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
New Rochelle
10.6%
New Rochelle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
New Rochelle
13.8%
New Rochelle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
New Rochelle
9.5%
New Rochelle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
New Rochelle
14.9%
New Rochelle +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
New Rochelle
9.3%
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Downey, CA | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 26.6% | New Rochelle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.6% | New Rochelle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 13.8% | New Rochelle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 9.5% | New Rochelle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.9% | New Rochelle + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.3% | New Rochelle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
New Rochelle
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
New Rochelle
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | New Rochelle, NY | 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
Downey +
New Rochelle
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
New Rochelle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
New Rochelle
20.0 min
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Downey, CA | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 20.0 min | New Rochelle + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, while downey offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $888,820. On public safety, New Rochelle is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 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, New Rochelle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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