Downey CA vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Salem
12.2%
White
Downey
21.0%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Salem
1.6%
Salem +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.7 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 12.2% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 0.4% | 1.6% | Salem + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 23.4% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,691 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Downey +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Downey, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3001 | Downey + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 41.4% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 18.8% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.2% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.4% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 39.7 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Downey +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Downey + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Downey, CA vs New York, NYDowney, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Downey, CADowney, CA vs Houston, TXDowney, CA vs Phoenix, AZDowney, CA vs Philadelphia, PA