Downey CA vs Westland MI — 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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Downey +
Westland
84,155
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Westland
38.2
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Westland
9.2%
White
Downey
21.0%
Westland
63.7%
Westland +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Westland
22.6%
Westland +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Westland
3.8%
Westland +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Westland
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 84,155 | Downey + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 38.2 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 9.2% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 63.7% | Westland + |
| Black | 0.4% | 22.6% | Westland + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.8% | Westland + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 5.0% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Westland
$62,216
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Westland
$33,816
Westland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Westland
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Westland
5.3%
Westland +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Westland
13.3%
Westland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Westland
21.7%
Westland +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $62,216 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $33,816 | Westland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.3% | Westland + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 13.3% | Westland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 21.7% | Westland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Westland
$215,089
Westland +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Westland
61.1%
Westland +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $215,089 | Westland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 61.1% | Westland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Westland
471
Westland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Westland
1590
Westland +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 471 | Westland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1590 | Westland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Westland
34.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Westland
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Westland
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Westland
7.3%
Westland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Westland
15.6%
Westland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Westland
16.6%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 34.7% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.3% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 20.0% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 7.3% | Westland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.6% | Westland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 16.6% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Downey +
Westland
55.0%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Downey + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Westland
27.0 min
Westland +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 27.0 min | Westland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, while westland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,089. On public safety, Westland is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Westland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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