Downey CA vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Providence
32.8%
White
Downey
21.0%
Providence
40.7%
Providence +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Providence
44.3%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 32.8% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 40.7% | Providence + |
| Black | 0.4% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 44.3% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Providence
$66,772
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Providence
$64,538
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $66,772 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $64,538 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.4% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 20.1% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Providence
41.2%
Providence +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $429,449 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 41.2% | Providence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Providence
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Providence
14.6%
Providence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Providence
12.1%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 34.4% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 19.6% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 14.6% | Providence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.7% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.1% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Providence
27.4 min
Providence +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 27.4 min | Providence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, while providence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,449. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Downey has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Downey scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.6%.
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