Downey CA vs Yonkers NY — 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%
Yonkers, NY
New York · Population: 209,529
- Median HH Income$81,816
- Median Home Price$685,544
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+35.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
Yonkers
209,529
Yonkers +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Yonkers
39.0
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Yonkers
32.6%
White
Downey
21.0%
Yonkers
38.0%
Yonkers +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Yonkers
17.3%
Yonkers +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Yonkers
5.1%
Yonkers +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Yonkers
44.4%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 209,529 | Yonkers + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 39.0 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 32.6% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 38.0% | Yonkers + |
| Black | 0.4% | 17.3% | Yonkers + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.1% | Yonkers + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 44.4% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Yonkers
$81,816
Yonkers +
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Yonkers
$42,770
Yonkers +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Yonkers
$77,425
Yonkers +
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
Yonkers
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Yonkers
14.7%
Yonkers +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Yonkers
35.2%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $81,816 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $42,770 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Yonkers + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.4% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 14.7% | Yonkers + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 35.2% | Yonkers + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Yonkers
$685,544
Yonkers +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Yonkers
47.2%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $685,544 | Yonkers + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 47.2% | Yonkers + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Yonkers
434
Yonkers +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Yonkers
1736
Yonkers +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | Yonkers + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | Yonkers + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Yonkers
29.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Yonkers
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Yonkers
15.2%
Yonkers +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Yonkers
12.7%
Yonkers +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Yonkers
14.3%
Yonkers +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Yonkers
11.9%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 29.3% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.4% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 15.2% | Yonkers + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 12.7% | Yonkers + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.3% | Yonkers + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.9% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Yonkers, NY | 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 +
Yonkers
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Yonkers
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Downey +
Yonkers
37.5 min
| Metric | Downey, CA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 37.5 min | Downey + |
Which City is Right for You?
Yonkers leads in median household income at $81,816, while yonkers offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $685,544. On public safety, Yonkers is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 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%.
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