Downey CA vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Seattle
19.9%
White
Downey
21.0%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.5 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 19.9% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 0.4% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 8.2% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Seattle
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Seattle
$871,599
Seattle +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Seattle
44.3%
Seattle +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $871,599 | Seattle + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 44.3% | Seattle + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Downey +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Downey, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Downey + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 19.0% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 37.5 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Seattle
28.8 min
Seattle +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 28.8 min | Seattle + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while seattle offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $871,599. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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