Downey, CA Relocation Guide (2026)
Cost of living, housing, and income data for Downey, sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Salary needed to live in Downey →
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.
Downey, California is home to roughly 113,052 residents. The typical household here earns $84,236 a year — above the median we track across cities (+17%).
Anyone weighing a move to Downey should know the median home value is $679,000, above the multi-city median (+108%), and median rent runs $1,814 per month. Current mortgage rates and local property taxes both affect the real math of buying versus renting.
The ratio of median home value to median household income in Downey — roughly 8.1× — is on the high side, a sign that local pay hasn't kept pace with housing costs. The local market has seen 1.7% price growth over the past year — solid, sustainable movement rather than a rapid runup. FEMA rates Downey's overall natural-hazard risk as Very High — worth factoring into home insurance costs.
Personal Affordability Check
Renting at $1,814/mo in Downey would take 25.8% of your income.
$292/mo under the 30% guideline.
Buying the median home ($679,000) would take 51.6% of your income toward principal & interest.
$1,659/mo over the 28% guideline.
Cost of housing in Downey
Median home value is $679,000 and median gross rent is $1,814/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
FHFA's county-level home price index for Los Angeles rose 1.7% over the past year (as of 2025).
HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $2,601/month.
Climate & home insurance
FEMA rates Downey's overall natural-hazard risk as Very High. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.
Safety
Downey reported a violent crime rate of 301.2 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.
Moving to Downey
Planning a move to Downey? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of living in Downey, CA?
- Housing drives most of the cost-of-living picture in Downey — median home value of $679,000, median rent of $1,814/month — set against a median household income of $84,236 (US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022)).
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Downey?
- A common guideline is that rent should stay under 30% of gross income. With median rent at $1,814/month in Downey, that implies an income of about $72,560 to keep housing affordable. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Downey.
- Is it better to rent or buy in Downey?
- Buying at Downey's median home value of $679,000 takes about $155,352 a year in principal-and-interest income (20% down, 30-year fixed, current mortgage rates), compared with roughly $72,560 a year to comfortably rent at the median $1,814/month. Down payment and expected length of stay usually settle the question.
- Is Downey safe?
- Downey reported a violent crime rate of 301.2 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data. Compare that figure against other cities you're considering for context.
See the full salary breakdown for Downey →
Cities with a similar cost of living
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