Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chandler, AZ
VS
Downey, CA
🏆 Chandler leads 21 of 22 categories
Chandler
Arizona
21
wins
Cost of Living Index
101.4⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$99,374 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
35 ✓ Safer
Population
275,618 ✓ Larger
Downey
California
1
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$84,236
Violent Crime Index
121⚠ High
Population
113,052
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chandler, AZ
Pros
71% less violent crime than Downey
Homes cost $255k less ($423,900 vs $679,000)
Violent crime is well below the national average (133.4 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.8 pts lower (3.8%)
More college-educated — 46.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $15,138 more per year on average
Cons
Hot summers — July highs average 106°F
Downey, CA
Pros
Cooler summers — July highs near 81°F vs 106°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $679,000
Violent crime (460.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Median income trails Chandler by $15,138/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Chandler
Cost of Living
14% cheaper
COL index 101.4 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Chandler
Median Income
$15,138
$99,374 vs $84,236/yr
Chandler
Violent Crime
71% lower
133.4 vs 460.5 per 100k
Chandler
Median Home Value
$255k less
$423,900 vs $679,000
Chandler
Unemployment
1.8 pp lower
3.8% vs 5.6% unemployment
Chandler
Summer Heat
24.5°F warmer
July avg high 105.9°F vs 81.4°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Downey, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 101.4⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $423,900⚠ High ✓ Lower | $679,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,675⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,814⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $99,374 ✓ Higher | $84,236 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.2 min ✓ Shorter | 31.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 19.6% ✓ Higher | 7.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 50 ✓ Safer | 123⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 35 ✓ Safer | 121⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 72 ✓ Safer | 126⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (109) ✓ Better | C+ (88) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 23.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 46.2% ✓ Higher | 25.2% |
| High School or Higher | 94.2% ✓ Higher | 80.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Chandler Unified District #80 (4242) | Downey Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 70.6°F ✓ Warmer | 67.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 105.9°F ✓ Warmer | 81.4°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.7" ✓ Drier | 15.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 275,618 ✓ Larger | 113,052 |
| Median Age | 37.0 ✓ Older | 36.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.6% ✓ Higher | 49.4% |
| Under 18 | 23.5% ✓ More | 22.6% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 13.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chandler's cost of living index is 101.4 vs Downey's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Chandler is 14% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Chandler leads 21 of 22 categories. Chandler wins 21 and Downey wins 1. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Chandler to Downey or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($423,900 vs $679,000 median home), income ($99,374 vs $84,236), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chandler, AZ and Downey, CA are about 364 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.