Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Denver, CO
VS
Downey, CA
🏆 Denver leads 13 of 22 categories
Denver
Colorado
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$85,853 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
261⚠ High
Population
710,800 ✓ Larger
Downey
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$84,236
Violent Crime Index
121⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
113,052
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Denver, CO
Pros
Homes cost $139k less ($540,400 vs $679,000)
More college-educated — 54.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (4.7%)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Downey
Rent averages $149/mo less ($1,665 vs $1,814)
Cons
Violent crime (993.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4761.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 49" of snow per year
Downey, CA
Pros
54% less violent crime than Denver
Milder winters — January highs near 67°F vs 47°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 81°F vs 90°F
Cons
Violent crime (460.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $679,000
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Property crime (2650.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Denver
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 105.5 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Denver
Median Income
$1,617
$85,853 vs $84,236/yr
Denver
Median Home Value
$139k less
$540,400 vs $679,000
Denver
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
4.7% vs 5.6% unemployment
Denver
Summer Heat
8.8°F warmer
July avg high 90.2°F vs 81.4°F
Downey
Violent Crime
54% lower
460.5 vs 993.0 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Downey, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $540,400⚠ High ✓ Lower | $679,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,665⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,814⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,853 ✓ Higher | $84,236 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.3 min ✓ Shorter | 31.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 20.9% ✓ Higher | 7.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 247⚠ High | 123⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 261⚠ High | 121⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 227⚠ High | 126⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (110) ✓ Better | C+ (88) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 23.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 54.2% ✓ Higher | 25.2% |
| High School or Higher | 90.5% ✓ Higher | 80.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | Downey Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 46.5°F | 67.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 90.2°F ✓ Warmer | 81.4°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 15.4" | 15.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 49.0" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 710,800 ✓ Larger | 113,052 |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 36.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 49.4% |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 22.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.0% | 13.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Denver's cost of living index is 105.5 vs Downey's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Denver is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Denver leads 13 of 22 categories. Denver wins 13 and Downey wins 9. 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 Denver to Downey or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($540,400 vs $679,000 median home), income ($85,853 vs $84,236), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Denver, CO and Downey, CA are about 835 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.