Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Downey
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in Downey
Rent control: Downeyhas no local rent-stabilization ordinance we track, so California's statewide cap (AB 1482) is the main protection. It limits annual increases on most buildings at least 15 years old, with exemptions. Verify a building's status before signing.
General information, not legal advice.
How Downey scores for you
Checking your quiz profile…
Score Downey your way
Drag a slider to say how much each thing matters to you. The score updates live.
Want the real thing? Take the full quiz to factor in your budget and commute and rank Downey against every neighborhood.
Downey is a city of 114,000 people in southeastern Los Angeles County, about 13 miles southeast of Downtown LA. It is known for its space program heritage, the Apollo spacecraft were built here, and as the birthplace of Taco Bell, plus home to the world's oldest operating McDonald's. Today, Downey is a working-class residential city with a mix of families and longtime residents.
Living in Downey means accepting a car-dependent lifestyle in a denser, older part of the county. The city is walkable for some errands but lacks significant public transit, which ranks 276th of 319 places in the region. Air quality is moderate but notably worse than the regional average, and traffic exposure is above average for the area.
Living here
Day-to-day life in Downey revolves around car travel. You'll find basic amenities within a short walk: about 4 restaurants, 1 coffee shop, 1 grocery store, and 1 park per small neighborhood area. Chain restaurants and established grocery stores like Ralphs and Albertsons anchor daily shopping. Gyms and parks exist, but many errands will require a car despite the city's decent walkability score.
Downey's neighborhoods tend to be quieter and more residential than adjacent areas, with tree-lined streets and older single-family homes. You will hear airplane noise from the nearby airspace, and air quality can be a concern on high-pollution days due to the city's location in the smog-prone southeastern county. If you work locally or are retired, daily life is manageable; if your job is far away, commuting will be a serious consideration.
Who it's for
Downey works best for families, retirees, and workers with local jobs who prioritize a quieter, established residential setting over walkability and transit. It appeals to people with roots in the community or those seeking affordable older housing stock. It is not a good fit for anyone relying on public transit, sensitive to air quality, or working a long commute away from southeastern LA County.
Environment & livability
Air quality: moderate diesel PM exposure for California.
Above the state median, linked to mild long-term respiratory risk in some studies. Worth considering for sensitive households.
Traffic exposure: above-average traffic corridor exposure.
Higher traffic proximity correlates with elevated noise, diesel emissions, and reduced pedestrian comfort on nearby streets.
Tree cover: very limited tree cover, predominantly concrete.
Low canopy areas tend to run hotter and feel more exposed. Research links tree cover to lower ambient temperatures and improved pedestrian comfort.
Walkability: walkable for some errands, car useful for others.
A mixed walkability area. Good for quick trips on foot, but some destinations will require driving or transit.
Transit: minimal transit access, car strongly recommended.
Very infrequent or no meaningful transit nearby. Car dependency is high in this area.
Environmental data from CalEnviroScreen 4.0 and the EPA Smart Location Database. Informational only, not professional advice for a housing decision.
Who lives in Downey
Population
73,890
Renters
53%
of households rent
Median age
37
Median income
$92k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Around Downey
Grocery Outlet · Ralphs · Vallarta · Albertsons
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf · Awake Coffee · 3rd Street Coffee · Tea Leaf Co
IHOP · Burger King · The MarketPlace Grill Café · Chop'd
Independence Park · Wilderness Park · Crawford Park · Santa Fe Springs Park
The Camp Transformation Center · LA Fitness · Crossfit Downey · 24 Hour Fitness
Check your commute from Downey
Enter your work (or any) address for real travel times from this neighborhood.
Similar neighborhoods
Next to Downey
Finding a place in Downey
Found a place you like? Score it against your priorities to see how well any address fits your budget and commute.
Frequently asked questions
How is walkability in Downey?+
Downey ranks 79th of 319 places regionally, which is above the median but less walkable than areas with more retail density. You can walk for some errands, but a car is essential for most shopping, dining, and services. The city is car-dependent despite sidewalks being fairly common.
What is public transit like?+
Downey has minimal transit access and no nearby Metro rail stations. It ranks 276th of 319 for transit, making buses the only option. If you do not drive, living here is difficult, and a car is strongly recommended.
How is air quality?+
Downey has moderate diesel PM exposure and ranks 256th of 318 places for air quality, below the regional average. Smog is more noticeable here than in other parts of southern California, especially during summer months and high-pollution days.
What are the main neighborhoods or areas?+
Downey is a single city without major distinct neighborhoods. Living experience is fairly consistent throughout, with most areas being residential, auto-oriented, and family-focused. Proximity to major streets like Lakewood Boulevard affects noise and air quality locally.
Is Downey walkable?+
Downey ranks #102 of 346 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, walkable for some errands, car useful for others.
What is the average rent in Downey?+
Current residents of Downey pay a median rent of about $1,841 per month (Census ACS). Asking rents for new leases typically run higher.
How is the air quality in Downey?+
Downey has moderate diesel PM exposure for California, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 67 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Downey?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Downey are Rosemead, West Carson, Norwalk and Mission Hills.