Downey CA vs Santa Clarita 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%
Santa Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Santa Clarita
229,021
Santa Clarita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Santa Clarita
38.1
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Santa Clarita
21.6%
White
Downey
21.0%
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Santa Clarita +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Santa Clarita +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 229,021 | Santa Clarita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 38.1 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 21.6% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 53.1% | Santa Clarita + |
| Black | 0.4% | 4.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 11.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 36.0% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Santa Clarita +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $119,926 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $49,571 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.3% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 7.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 39.3% | Santa Clarita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Santa Clarita +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $802,780 | Santa Clarita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 72.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Santa Clarita
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Santa Clarita
2388
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Santa Clarita, 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%
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 24.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.8% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 16.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 8.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.9% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.9% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Santa Clarita, 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
Downey +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
| Metric | Downey, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 37.4 min | Downey + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, while santa Clarita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $802,780. On public safety, Santa Clarita is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Santa Clarita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Santa Clarita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
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