Downey CA vs Pembroke Pines FL — 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%
Pembroke Pines, FL
Florida · Population: 170,557
- Median HH Income$81,675
- Median Home Price$488,550
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Pembroke Pines
170,557
Pembroke Pines +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Pembroke Pines
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Pembroke Pines
43.7
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Pembroke Pines
39.5%
Pembroke Pines +
White
Downey
21.0%
Pembroke Pines
43.9%
Pembroke Pines +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Pembroke Pines
21.2%
Pembroke Pines +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Pembroke Pines
5.0%
Pembroke Pines +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Pembroke Pines
47.8%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Pembroke Pines
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 170,557 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 43.7 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 39.5% | Pembroke Pines + |
| White | 21.0% | 43.9% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Black | 0.4% | 21.2% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.0% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 47.8% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Pembroke Pines
$81,675
Pembroke Pines +
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Pembroke Pines
$39,881
Pembroke Pines +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Pembroke Pines
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Pembroke Pines
4.2%
Pembroke Pines +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Pembroke Pines
10.2%
Pembroke Pines +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Pembroke Pines
38.1%
Pembroke Pines +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $81,675 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $39,881 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.2% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 10.2% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 38.1% | Pembroke Pines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Pembroke Pines
$488,550
Pembroke Pines +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Pembroke Pines
70.8%
Pembroke Pines +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $488,550 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 70.8% | Pembroke Pines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Pembroke Pines
324
Pembroke Pines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Pembroke Pines
1453
Pembroke Pines +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Pembroke Pines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Pembroke Pines
29.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Pembroke Pines
13.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Pembroke Pines
14.5%
Pembroke Pines +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Downey +
Pembroke Pines
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Pembroke Pines
14.0%
Pembroke Pines +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Pembroke Pines
9.7%
Pembroke Pines +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 29.0% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.4% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 14.5% | Pembroke Pines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 17.3% | Downey + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.0% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.7% | Pembroke Pines + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Pembroke Pines
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Pembroke Pines
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Pembroke Pines, FL | 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
Pembroke Pines
7.2 µg/m³
Pembroke Pines +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Pembroke Pines
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Pembroke Pines + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Downey +
Pembroke Pines
33.2 min
| Metric | Downey, CA | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 33.2 min | Downey + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pembroke Pines leads in median household income at $81,675, while pembroke Pines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $488,550. On public safety, Pembroke Pines is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Pembroke Pines has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Pembroke Pines has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Downey scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.6%.
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