| Index | Downey | California | National |
| Cost of living | 165 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 114 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 116 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 271 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 122 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 124 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 118 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 115 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 135 | 127 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Downey? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Downey stands at 165, making it 65% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Downey may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, Downey falls within this bracket.
Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Downey, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 171.4% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.
Everyday household expenses like cleaning products, laundry detergent, toiletries, and kitchen basics can quickly add up over time and make up 8% of the cost of living index. In Downey, you can expect to spend 14.7% more than average on these recurring essentials, which increases your overall monthly cost of living.
The cost of groceries continues to rise at an alarming rate. Over the last two years, grocery prices have increased by more than 10%! Unfortunately, in Downey, the news isn't any better as grocery prices are 14.4% higher than the national average.
Is Downey affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Downey, for instance, where the median home price falls 218.5% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 61.6% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Downey flaunting a median household income of $112,483, 38.3% higher than the national norm.
Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Downey, the utilities index stands at 24.3% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In Downey, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 7.25%, and income tax rates start at 1%.
Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Downey are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $151,600 | $12,633 | $3,537 | $4,548 |
| Renters | $88,963 | $7,414 | $2,076 | $2,669 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| California | 7.25% | 10.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| California | 1% | 13.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Vernon, CA | 254 | 117 | 16.8% |
| Rolling Hills CDP, CA | 855 | 133 | 33.4% |
| Willowbrook, CA | 25,347 | 136 | 36.0% |
| East Rancho Dominguez, CA | 15,765 | 136 | 36.3% |
| Florence-Graham, CA | 66,603 | 138 | 38.2% |
| Downey, CA | 114,056 | 165 | 65.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Pompano Beach, FL | 114,068 | 111 | 11.0% |
| Lowell, MA | 114,170 | 126 | 25.9% |
| Lakeland, FL | 114,288 | 103 | 2.5% |
| Centennial, CO | 113,795 | 145 | 44.8% |
| Pueblo, CO | 114,377 | 99 | 0.8% |
| Downey, CA | 114,056 | 165 | 65.3% |
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