Downey CA vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Raleigh
34.7
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Raleigh
13.6%
White
Downey
21.0%
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 34.7 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 13.6% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 53.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 0.4% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 12.7% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $435,807 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 51.2% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Raleigh
30.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Raleigh
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Raleigh
10.5%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 30.9% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 16.6% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.5% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 46.2 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 25.1 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, 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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