Downey CA vs Paterson 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Paterson
N/A
White
Downey
21.0%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Downey
0.4%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | N/A | - |
| White | 21.0% | N/A | - |
| Black | 0.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.5% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Paterson
$527,542
Paterson +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $527,542 | Paterson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Downey +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 37.5% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.1% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 18.6% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 28.6% | Downey + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 16.4% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Paterson, NJ | 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 +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Paterson, 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
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Paterson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $527,542. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. 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