Downey, CA vs San Gabriel, CA

Downey is moderately more affordable than San Gabriel, with a 7.9% lower cost of living index. Downey scores 157 compared to 171 for San Gabriel, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of San Gabriel can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Downey is $1,892/month compared to $1,874/month in San Gabriel — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while San Gabriel has cheaper rent, Downey actually has lower median home values ($728,500 vs $899,000).

Median household income in Downey is $87,400 compared to $87,592 in San Gabriel (-0.2%). San Gabriel does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Downey spend roughly 26% of their income on rent, more than the 25.7% in San Gabriel.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (64.9°F vs 65.8°F). San Gabriel receives more rainfall at 14.3" per year compared to 12" in Downey.