Downey CA vs Wichita KS — 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%
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Downey
21.0%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Wichita
9.7%
Wichita +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Wichita
18.4%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.7 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 10.0% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 0.4% | 9.7% | Wichita + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 18.4% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Wichita
$35,958
Wichita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Wichita
5.7%
Wichita +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Wichita
30.9%
Wichita +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $63,072 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $35,958 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,860 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.7% | Wichita + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 15.9% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 30.9% | Wichita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Wichita
449
Wichita +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Wichita
2174
Wichita +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 449 | Wichita + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2174 | Wichita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Wichita
12.9%
Wichita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 39.5% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.6% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 17.7% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 12.9% | Wichita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 16.3% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
Wichita
32.6 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 32.6 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Wichita is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Wichita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, 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%.
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