Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Downey, CA
VS
Rochester, NY
🏆 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
Rochester
New York
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$44,156
Violent Crime Index
153⚠ High
Population
210,992 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Downey, CA
Pros
Households earn $40,080 more per year on average
21% less violent crime than Rochester
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.9 pts lower (5.6%)
Milder winters — January highs near 67°F vs 33°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 18% higher than Rochester
Rochester, NY
Pros
Homes cost $568k less ($111,400 vs $679,000)
Rent averages $819/mo less ($995 vs $1,814)
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
18% cheaper overall cost of living than Downey
More college-educated — 29.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Smaller class sizes — 10.3:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Downey by $40,080/yr
Violent crime (582.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3289.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.5% vs 5.6%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Downey
Median Income
$40,080
$84,236 vs $44,156/yr
Downey
Violent Crime
21% lower
460.5 vs 582.3 per 100k
Downey
Unemployment
2.9 pp lower
5.6% vs 8.5% unemployment
Rochester
Cost of Living
18% cheaper
COL index 97.7 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Rochester
Median Home Value
$568k less
$111,400 vs $679,000
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Downey, CA | Rochester, NY |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 115.5⚠ High | 97.7 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $679,000⚠ High | $111,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,814⚠ High | $995 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $84,236 ✓ Higher | $44,156 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 31.3 min⚠ High | 19.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.2% | 9.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 123⚠ High ✓ Safer | 155⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 121⚠ High ✓ Safer | 153⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 126⚠ High ✓ Safer | 157⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | B (100) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 23.7:1 | 10.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 25.2% | 29.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 80.2% | 83.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Downey Unified | ROCHESTER CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 67.4°F ✓ Warmer | 33.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 81.4°F | 82.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 15.2" ✓ Drier | 35.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 102.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 113,052 | 210,992 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.5 ✓ Older | 32.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% ✓ Higher | 37.3% |
| Under 18 | 22.6% ✓ More | 21.8% |
| Over 65 | 13.2% ✓ More | 12.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Downey's cost of living index is 115.5 vs Rochester's 97.7 (US average = 100).
Rochester is 18% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Downey leads 12 of 23 categories. Downey wins 12 and Rochester 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 Rochester or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($679,000 vs $111,400 median home), income ($84,236 vs $44,156), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Downey, CA and Rochester, NY are about 2,256 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.