Downey CA vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Downey
21.0%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 13.9% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 0.4% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 23.1% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Tempe
$468,328
Tempe +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Tempe
41.6%
Tempe +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $468,328 | Tempe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 41.6% | Tempe + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Tempe
450
Tempe +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Tempe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 16.6% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.3% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, while tempe offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $468,328. On public safety, Tempe is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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