Downey CA vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Downey
21.0%
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 7.7% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 44.0% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 0.4% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 9.9% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Norfolk
$64,017
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Norfolk
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $64,017 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.1% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 17.3% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Norfolk
45.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $310,519 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 45.7% | Norfolk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Norfolk
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Norfolk
13.7%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 39.9% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.4% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 19.4% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.1% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.7% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 50.8 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, while norfolk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $310,519. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 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%.
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