Downey CA vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Reno
16.1%
White
Downey
21.0%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Reno
3.2%
Reno +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Reno
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 37.3 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 16.1% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 0.4% | 3.2% | Reno + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 24.6% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,696 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 35.7% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Reno
$570,934
Reno +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Reno
49.4%
Reno +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $570,934 | Reno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 49.4% | Reno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Reno
460
Reno +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Downey +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Downey, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 460 | Reno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2417 | Downey + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Reno
28.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Reno
13.0%
Reno +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 28.4% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 18.5% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 13.0% | Reno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.9% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.8% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, while reno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $570,934. On public safety, Reno is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Downey scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.6%.
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