Downey, CA vs El Cajon, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Downey
61.3
#1911 nationally
El Cajon
62.5
#1848 nationally
Downey leads in median household income ($84,236 vs $64,128). El Cajon leads in average commute (25.4 min vs 31.3 min). El Cajon leads in cost of living index (150 vs 165).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Downey, CA | El Cajon, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 61.3 (#1911) | 62.5 (#1848) |
| Population | 108,816 | 102,991 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $885,146 | $812,181 |
| Median Household Income | $84,236 | $64,128 |
| Average Commute | 31.3 min | 25.4 min |
| Walk Score | 61 | 61 |
| Crime Level | 12.3 | 11.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 165 | 150 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | D+16.8 |
D-
61.3 Score
Downey, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$885,146
Population
108,816
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
61
Pacific
View Downey, CA →
D-
62.5 Score
El Cajon, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$812,181
Population
102,991
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
61
Pacific
View El Cajon, CA →