Downey CA vs New York 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
New York
36.5%
White
Downey
21.0%
New York
35.9%
New York +
Black
Downey
0.4%
New York
22.7%
New York +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
New York
28.4%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 38.0 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 36.5% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 35.9% | New York + |
| Black | 0.4% | 22.7% | New York + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 28.4% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
New York
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Downey, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.7% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 17.4% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
New York
$816,078
New York +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Downey +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Downey, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $816,078 | New York + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 32.8% | Downey + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
New York
434
New York +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | Downey, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | New York + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
New York
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
New York
10.6%
New York +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
New York
11.4%
| Metric | Downey, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.9% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 10.6% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.9% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.4% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
New York
55.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 46.6 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
New York
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | New York, 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
Downey +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Downey, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 44.2 min | Downey + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while new York offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $816,078. On public safety, New York 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 York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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