Downey CA vs Provo UT — 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%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Downey +
Provo
114,303
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Provo
12.2%
White
Downey
21.0%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Provo
1.1%
Provo +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Provo
2.2%
Provo +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Provo
18.9%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 114,303 | Downey + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 12.2% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 0.4% | 1.1% | Provo + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.2% | Provo + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 18.9% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Provo
$62,800
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Provo
$26,755
Provo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Provo
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $62,800 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $26,755 | Provo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $60,713 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.7% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 22.3% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 45.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Provo
$486,127
Provo +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Provo
39.9%
Provo +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $486,127 | Provo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 39.9% | Provo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Provo
1931
Provo +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1931 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Provo
30.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Provo
12.6%
Provo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 30.7% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 21.5% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 12.6% | Provo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Provo
53.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
Provo
19.8 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 19.8 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Provo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 20.1 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, while provo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $486,127. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Downey scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.6%.
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