Downey CA vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Downey
21.0%
Philadelphia
36.1%
Philadelphia +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.1 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 14.6% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 36.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Black | 0.4% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 15.2% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $60,698 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,080 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 8.4% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 22.0% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 48.5 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Downey +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Downey + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Downey +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Downey, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 34.5 min | Downey + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
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