Downey CA vs Visalia CA — 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%
Visalia, CA
California · Population: 135,983
- Median HH Income$70,663
- Median Home Price$397,983
- Unemployment11.6%
- Bachelor's+12.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Visalia
135,983
Visalia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Visalia
20.1%
White
Downey
21.0%
Visalia
36.5%
Visalia +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Visalia
17.1%
Visalia +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Visalia
55.3%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 135,983 | Visalia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 20.1% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 36.5% | Visalia + |
| Black | 0.4% | 17.1% | Visalia + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 4.4% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 55.3% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Visalia
$26,955
Visalia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Visalia
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Visalia
12.4%
Visalia +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $70,663 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $26,955 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 11.6% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 20.0% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 12.4% | Visalia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Visalia
$397,983
Visalia +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $397,983 | Visalia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Visalia
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Visalia
2388
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Visalia
32.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Visalia
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Visalia
13.0%
Visalia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Visalia
12.0%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 32.2% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.2% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 17.9% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 13.0% | Visalia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.8% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.0% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Downey +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Downey, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 41.6 min | Downey + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, while visalia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $397,983. On public safety, Visalia is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Downey has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Visalia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Downey scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.6%.
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