Charlotte, NC vs Downey, 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.
Charlotte
68.1
#1344 nationally
Downey
61.3
#1911 nationally
Downey leads in walk score (61 vs 26). Charlotte leads in cost of living index (102 vs 165). Downey leads in median household income ($84,236 vs $71,659).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Downey, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.1 (#1344) | 61.3 (#1911) |
| Population | 897,720 | 108,816 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $397,231 | $885,146 |
| Median Household Income | $71,659 | $84,236 |
| Average Commute | 27.1 min | 31.3 min |
| Walk Score | 26 | 61 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 12.3 |
| School Rating | 6.5 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 165 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | D+32.9 |
D+
68.1 Score
Charlotte, NC
Banking capital of the South
Median Home
$397,231
Population
897,720
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B-
Southeast
View Charlotte, NC →
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 →