Downey CA vs Plano TX — 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Plano
28.7%
White
Downey
21.0%
Plano
53.2%
Plano +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Plano
9.0%
Plano +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Plano
16.2%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 39.3 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 28.7% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 53.2% | Plano + |
| Black | 0.4% | 9.0% | Plano + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 16.2% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Plano
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Plano
$507,575
Plano +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $507,575 | Plano + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 56.6% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Plano
442
Plano +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Plano
2339
Plano +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Plano + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Plano + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Plano
31.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Plano
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 31.2% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.4% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Plano, TX | 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 +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Downey +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Downey + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Plano
27.6 min
Plano +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 27.6 min | Plano + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while plano offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $507,575. On public safety, Plano is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and 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%.
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