By Jesse Oñate, Realtor · Updated November 12, 2026
- Median home price is around $926K, with homes selling in about 45 days on average.
- Property taxes in LA County run about 1% plus voter approved bonds, usually up to about 1.25% a year.
- Downey Unified is its own district with about 22 schools and roughly 22,000 students.
- The 5, 605, 105 and 710 plus the Metro C Line make Downey one of the easiest commutes in southeast LA County.
- Most homes were built in the 1940s and 1950s, so budget for older plumbing, electrical and sewer lines.
Living in Downey, CA means a real house with a real yard at a price that still makes sense for LA County, right between the 5, the 605, the 105 and the 710, in a city that has its own downtown, its own school district and its own police department. I sell homes here every month, and when people ask me what living in Downey is actually like, this is the honest answer.
The short version: Downey is for people who want space, a calm block and a short drive to everything, and who would rather have a 1950s ranch with a backyard than a new condo with an HOA. It is not the cheapest city around, and it is not trying to be trendy. That is exactly why people stay.
What does a home cost in Downey right now?
My Downey market guide puts the median home price around $926K, with homes taking about 45 days on average to sell. That number hides a wide range. A two bedroom condo near the 105 and a four bedroom pool home in Northeast Downey are not the same purchase, so I always break it down by area and by home type before anyone sets a budget.
| Area | ZIP | What you usually find |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast Downey | 90240 | Larger lots, custom and remodeled homes, the most sought after blocks |
| Central and Old River School | 90241 | Mid century ranch homes on tree lined streets, close to downtown Downey |
| South Downey | 90242 | The best entry point for first time buyers, quick access to the 105 and 710 |
If you are trying to figure out what payment that price turns into, run it through my mortgage calculator first. Buyers are usually surprised by how much the down payment and the rate move the monthly number, and how little a $10K difference in price does.
What are property taxes like in Downey?
Downey is in LA County, so your base property tax is 1% of the assessed value under Proposition 13, plus voter approved bonds. The county says the total rate in most of LA County does not go above about 1.25%. On a $900K purchase, budget roughly $11,000 to $11,250 a year before any special assessments.
Two things catch new owners off guard. First, the supplemental tax bill that shows up a few months after closing, because the county reassesses at your purchase price. Second, special assessments on a handful of newer tracts. Most of Downey is older housing stock, so Mello Roos is less common here than in newer master planned cities, but I still check every disclosure. My guide to Mello Roos and special taxes explains how to spot them before you write an offer.
Is Downey a good place to raise a family?
For most of my clients with kids, yes, and the schools are a big part of why. Downey Unified runs about 22 schools serving roughly 22,000 students, and it is its own district, which matters when you compare Downey to cities that share a larger district. Downey High and Warren High are the two names you will hear most.
The other part is the day to day. Furman Park fills up on weekends, the city runs its own library and youth sports, and most streets are quiet enough that kids still ride bikes on them. School boundaries do shift, so I always verify the assigned school for a specific address with the district before my clients count on it.
What is there to do in Downey?
Downey has more history than people expect. The oldest operating McDonald's in the world opened here on Lakewood Boulevard in 1953, and it still serves burgers from the original walk up stand. The Columbia Memorial Space Center sits on the old NASA and North American Aviation site where the Apollo command modules were built, which is a fun afternoon even if you are not a space person.
For everyday life, you have Stonewood Center and Downey Landing for shopping, a growing downtown along Downey Avenue with restaurants and the Downey Civic Theatre, and quick drives to the beaches in Long Beach or Seal Beach when you need the ocean. I keep a longer list of my favorite spots in the Downey guide.
How is the commute from Downey?
This is Downey's biggest selling point. Few cities in southeast LA County sit between this many freeways. The 5 and the 605 run along the edges of the city, and the 105 and 710 are minutes away, so downtown LA, Long Beach, the South Bay and Orange County are all realistic commutes. Traffic still decides how realistic, so I tell clients to drive their actual commute at rush hour before they buy.
If you take transit, the Metro C Line stops at Lakewood Boulevard in the middle of the 105, with free park and ride and connections toward LAX and the rest of the Metro system.
What are the downsides of living in Downey?
I would rather you hear these from me than find out after closing:
- Older homes need attention. Much of Downey was built in the 1940s and 1950s. Plumbing, electrical panels, sewer lines and foundations are where inspections find surprises, so budget for them.
- Freeway noise. Blocks near the 5, 605 and 105 can be loud. Stand in the backyard for ten minutes before you fall in love.
- Prices are not low. Downey costs more than some neighbors like Bellflower and Norwalk, and you are paying for the location, the lot sizes and the schools.
If Downey stretches your budget, compare it with Whittier (I put the two side by side in Downey vs Whittier), Bellflower or Norwalk. I help clients in all of them, and sometimes the right answer is one city over.
Buying or selling in Downey: where to start
If you are buying your first home, start with my first time buyer guide for Downey. It walks through programs, budgets and the traps that cost people money here. If you already own and you are wondering what your home would sell for, my Downey seller guide shows how I price and market homes, and you can see a real example in how the Garcia family sold $32K over asking.
Either way, the next step is the same. Tell me what you are trying to do and I will tell you what is realistic in Downey right now, with real numbers and no pressure. You can read more about how I work as a real estate agent in Downey.
Questions people ask me
Is Downey, CA a good place to live?
For people who want a house with a yard, solid schools and a central location, yes. Downey has its own school district, police department and downtown, and it sits between the 5, 605, 105 and 710. The tradeoff is price: it costs more than some neighboring cities.
How much do you need to make to live in Downey?
It depends on your down payment and rate, not just the price. With the median around $926K, most buyers I work with need a household income well into six figures. Run your own numbers in the mortgage calculator or book a call and I will walk through it with you.
What is the property tax rate in Downey?
Downey follows LA County: a 1% base rate under Proposition 13 plus voter approved bonds, usually totaling up to about 1.25% of the assessed value. Some tracts carry special assessments, so always check the disclosures for a specific home.
What is the nicest area of Downey?
Northeast Downey in the 90240 ZIP has the largest lots and many of the most remodeled homes. Central Downey near the Old River School area has some of the prettiest tree lined streets. The best area for you depends on budget and which school you want.
Is Downey safe?
Downey has its own police department and many quiet residential blocks, but safety varies by street like anywhere in LA County. I suggest checking the city's crime map for the exact blocks you like and visiting at night before you buy.
Thinking about a move to Downey?
Tell me what you want and I will tell you what is realistic right now. 15 minutes, real numbers, no pressure.
Book my 15-min call