Downey CA vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Downey
21.0%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 9.3% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 0.4% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 4.2% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $64,137 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,080 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 19.5% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 47.2% | Pittsburgh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 39.3 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Downey +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Downey has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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