Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Downey, CA
VS
Fayetteville, NC
🏆 Downey leads 12 of 23 categories
Downey
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$84,236 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
121⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
113,052
Fayetteville
North Carolina
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$53,424
Violent Crime Index
174⚠ High
Population
208,697 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Downey, CA
Pros
Households earn $30,812 more per year on average
30% less violent crime than Fayetteville
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.8 pts lower (5.6%)
Milder winters — January highs near 67°F vs 54°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 81°F vs 91°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $679,000
Higher rents — median is $1,814/mo
Violent crime (460.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 24% higher than Fayetteville
Fayetteville, NC
Pros
Homes cost $521k less ($158,500 vs $679,000)
Rent averages $697/mo less ($1,117 vs $1,814)
24% cheaper overall cost of living than Downey
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 91.4)
More college-educated — 28.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Median income trails Downey by $30,812/yr
Violent crime (660.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3094.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.4% vs 5.6%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Downey
Median Income
$30,812
$84,236 vs $53,424/yr
Downey
Violent Crime
30% lower
460.5 vs 660.2 per 100k
Downey
Unemployment
2.8 pp lower
5.6% vs 8.4% unemployment
Fayetteville
Cost of Living
24% cheaper
COL index 91.4 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Fayetteville
Median Home Value
$521k less
$158,500 vs $679,000
Fayetteville
Summer Heat
9.5°F warmer
July avg high 90.9°F vs 81.4°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fayetteville, NC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 115.5⚠ High | 91.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $679,000⚠ High | $158,500 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,814⚠ High | $1,117 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $84,236 ✓ Higher | $53,424 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.4%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 31.3 min⚠ High | 19.0 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.2% ✓ Higher | 5.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 123⚠ High ✓ Safer | 163⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 121⚠ High ✓ Safer | 174⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 126⚠ High ✓ Safer | 147⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | B- (93) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 23.7:1 | 16.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 25.2% | 28.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 80.2% | 93.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Downey Unified | Cumberland County Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 67.4°F ✓ Warmer | 54.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 81.4°F | 90.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 15.2" ✓ Drier | 47.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 1.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 113,052 | 208,697 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.5 ✓ Older | 30.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% ✓ Higher | 45.4% |
| Under 18 | 22.6% | 23.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.2% ✓ More | 12.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Downey's cost of living index is 115.5 vs Fayetteville's 91.4 (US average = 100).
Fayetteville is 24% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Downey leads 12 of 23 categories. Downey wins 12 and Fayetteville wins 11. 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 Downey to Fayetteville or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($679,000 vs $158,500 median home), income ($84,236 vs $53,424), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Downey, CA and Fayetteville, NC are about 2,216 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.