Downey CA vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Springfield
154,751
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Springfield
10.2%
White
Downey
21.0%
Springfield
40.8%
Springfield +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Springfield
2.8%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Springfield
47.4%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 154,751 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 10.2% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 40.8% | Springfield + |
| Black | 0.4% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.8% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 47.4% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Springfield
$27,054
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Springfield
19.7%
Springfield +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $51,339 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $27,054 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 8.2% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 25.3% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 19.7% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Springfield
49.5%
Springfield +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $298,985 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 49.5% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Springfield
13.7%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 39.6% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.8% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 21.1% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 13.7% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 17.5% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Springfield, MA | 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
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 22.6 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $298,985. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Downey has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 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