Downey CA vs Salinas CA — 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Salinas
36.3%
White
Downey
21.0%
Salinas
21.8%
Salinas +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Salinas
1.4%
Salinas +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Salinas
80.3%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 36.3% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 21.8% | Salinas + |
| Black | 0.4% | 1.4% | Salinas + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 80.3% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Salinas
$28,813
Salinas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Salinas
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Salinas
15.5%
Salinas +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $28,813 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 15.5% | Salinas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Salinas
$751,711
Salinas +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Salinas
47.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $751,711 | Salinas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 47.0% | Salinas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Salinas
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Salinas
2388
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Downey +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 32.8% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.4% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 18.2% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 22.4% | Downey + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.8% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.9% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
Salinas
15.5 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 15.5 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Salinas
28.8 min
Salinas +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 28.8 min | Salinas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while salinas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $751,711. On public safety, Salinas is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas 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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