Downey CA vs Omaha NE — 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%
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Omaha
35.3
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Omaha
10.9%
White
Downey
21.0%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Omaha
15.6%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.3 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 10.9% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 0.4% | 11.8% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 4.0% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 15.6% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Omaha
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $72,708 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $66,354 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 40.3% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $297,017 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 57.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1960 | Omaha + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Omaha
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Omaha
12.0%
Omaha +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Omaha
14.2%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 37.5% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 12.0% | Omaha + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 20.0% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 14.2% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Omaha
51.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
Omaha
30.6 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 30.6 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 21.1 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, while omaha offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,017. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Downey scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.6%.
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