Downey CA vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Downey +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Wilmington
8.3%
White
Downey
21.0%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Wilmington
1.6%
Wilmington +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Wilmington
11.8%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 71,124 | Downey + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 37.0 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 8.3% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 0.4% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.6% | Wilmington + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 11.8% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Wilmington
$64,087
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Wilmington
33.1%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $55,269 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $64,087 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.6% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 23.2% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 33.1% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Wilmington
$327,117
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Wilmington
46.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $327,117 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 46.0% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Wilmington
1991
Wilmington +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 394 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1991 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Wilmington
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Wilmington
12.7%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 41.0% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.0% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 18.4% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 12.7% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 16.4% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Wilmington
54.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 49.3 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Wilmington
25.0 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 25.0 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $327,117. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 394 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Downey has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, 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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