salaryRent is higher than in 82% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 8.1 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are long, about 31 minutes each way.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $95,520 a year. That is $46 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of California. It is number 339 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Downey?
Share of households by yearly income. 34.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Downey
| Size | Downey | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,778 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,807 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,221 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,693 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,688 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Downey overall?
Everyday prices in California overall are 11% above the U.S. average (index 110.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Downey, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Downey
Life in Downey
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Downey?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $3,139 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $796,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $79,660 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Downey, CA?
Renting in Downey costs a median of about $2,388 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Downey?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $95,520 a year, or $46 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Downey cheap or expensive?
Downey is rated OK: rent takes 29.3% of the typical household income of $97,819. It ranks 339th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Downey?
The median homeowner in Downey pays $5,323 a year in property taxes, about 0.67% of the median home value.
Is Downey more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in California are 11% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Downey?
The median home value in Downey is $796,600, about 8.1 times the typical yearly household income.
110,939 people live in Downey. Numbers are typical (middle) values.