Downey CA vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Downey
21.0%
Rochester
41.5%
Rochester +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Rochester
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 8.3% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 41.5% | Rochester + |
| Black | 0.4% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 20.0% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Rochester
$30,451
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $46,628 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $30,451 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.9% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 26.6% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Rochester
37.2%
Rochester +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 37.2% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 38.0% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.3% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 18.8% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.3% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 16.6% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Rochester
48.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
Rochester
34.3 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 34.3 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Downey has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, 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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