Downey CA vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Waco
9.8%
White
Downey
21.0%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Waco
2.0%
Waco +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 9.8% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 0.4% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.0% | Waco + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 29.9% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Waco
$28,819
Waco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $51,468 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $28,819 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 24.0% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Downey +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 36.8% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.0% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 20.4% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 20.4% | Downey + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.2% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 15.1% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 36.4 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Downey +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Downey + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Downey 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%.
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