Downey CA vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Newark
34.9%
White
Downey
21.0%
Downey +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Downey
0.4%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Newark
1.9%
Newark +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Newark
37.2%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 34.8 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 34.9% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 16.5% | Downey + |
| Black | 0.4% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.9% | Newark + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 37.2% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Newark
$25,509
Newark +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Newark
17.4%
Newark +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $48,416 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $25,509 | Newark + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 10.9% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 24.7% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 17.4% | Newark + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Newark
$482,675
Newark +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Downey +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $482,675 | Newark + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 24.1% | Downey + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Downey +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 35.9% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.6% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 20.0% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 23.4% | Downey + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 18.2% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 46.3 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Downey +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Downey, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 35.9 min | Downey + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, while newark offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $482,675. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 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, Downey scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.6%.
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