Downey CA vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Downey +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Downey
21.0%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 98,677 | Downey + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 38.0 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 7.5% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 0.4% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 8.6% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Roanoke
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $52,671 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 19.7% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 41.9% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.9% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 18.4% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 16.7% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 44.5 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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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