2026 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Riverside, CA vs Downey, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Downey or is it cheaper to live in Riverside?
- Downey is 23.2% more expensive than Riverside.

Which city has more affordable housing, Downey or Riverside?
- Downey housing costs are 29.1% more expensive than Riverside housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Riverside or is Health Care more affordable in Downey.
- Health related expenses are 3.3% more in Downey.
 Riverside, CADowney, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock161.7100
 Food & Groceries100.4  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock90.2100
 Housing177.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$745,600$338,100
 Utilities106  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock158.5100
 Miscellaneous112.3  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Riverside    42 Reviews

I've lived in Riverside for 54 years. It changed a LOT when people from LA started moving here in droves. Still, I have never been robbed or assaulted but I am  More

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I'm from Orange County (OC). I have had nothing but trouble since moving to Riverside. 1. The dogs are aggressive guard dogs. If you want to walk or bike you  More

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Over 8 years ago

Whew where to begin with dear old riverside. I enjoyed growing up here until my high school years (back in 2011). In 7 short years the downward deterioration of the  More

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Reviews for Downey    3 Reviews

Over 11 years ago

You  More

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Over 18 years ago

downey has a decent area in the northeast part but mostly average homes and getting busy driving around the  More

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Over 20 years ago

Its a nice city. Just like the rest of Sounthern California it is overrun with illegal aliens. Housing and apartment renting is high,consdireing the age of the homes and  More

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