Downey CA vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Downey
21.0%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Tucson
5.0%
Tucson +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Tucson
42.7%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 34.6 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 13.7% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 0.4% | 5.0% | Tucson + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 42.7% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Tucson
$31,152
Tucson +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $54,546 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $31,152 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.4% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 18.8% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Tucson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Downey +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 33.5% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 18.3% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 15.7% | Downey + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.5% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 69.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Tucson is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Downey has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Downey scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.6%.
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