Downey CA vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
West Palm Beach
119,508
West Palm Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
West Palm Beach
27.2%
White
Downey
21.0%
West Palm Beach
44.0%
West Palm Beach +
Black
Downey
0.4%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
West Palm Beach
2.5%
West Palm Beach +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
West Palm Beach
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 119,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 40.2 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 27.2% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 44.0% | West Palm Beach + |
| Black | 0.4% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 24.6% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Downey, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
West Palm Beach
$399,650
West Palm Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
West Palm Beach
50.2%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Downey, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $399,650 | West Palm Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 50.2% | West Palm Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Downey, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
West Palm Beach
29.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
West Palm Beach
16.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Downey +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
West Palm Beach
13.0%
| Metric | Downey, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 29.1% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.7% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 16.4% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 16.9% | Downey + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.0% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 75.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 62.3 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Downey, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 25.0 min | West Palm Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while west Palm Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,650. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Downey scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.6%.
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