Downey CA vs Vancouver 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Vancouver
13.6%
White
Downey
21.0%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Vancouver
3.1%
Vancouver +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Vancouver
17.2%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 192,696 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 37.5 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 13.6% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 0.4% | 3.1% | Vancouver + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 17.2% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Vancouver
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Vancouver
31.5%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 31.5% | Vancouver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Vancouver
$510,577
Vancouver +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Vancouver
49.9%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $510,577 | Vancouver + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 49.9% | Vancouver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Downey +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Downey, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Downey + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Vancouver
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Vancouver
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Vancouver
11.7%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 36.2% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 19.1% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.3% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.7% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Vancouver
52.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 41.6 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Vancouver
25.1 min
Vancouver +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 25.1 min | Vancouver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while vancouver offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,577. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 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