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ZIP Code · CA

ZIP 90242

Part of Downey, CA
Pop. 40,767·Los Angeles County·738th most expensive ZIP in California
Median rent (all units)
$2,249/mo
Year-over-Year
+5.8%
Month-over-Month
+3.5%
vs US Median
+$284
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 90242 · $2,249
More expensive than 71% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,965/mo
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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,780
1 BR
$2,000
2 BR
$2,490
3 BR
$3,160
4 BR+
$3,520
Research median
$2,490/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$26,988/yr
At $2,249/mo median
Location
CityDowney
StateCA
CountyLos Angeles County
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 5.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+5.8% YoY, +3.5% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 90242 (Downey, CA) is roughly split between renters and owners, 25.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
40,767
Median income
$89,075
Median age
37.7
Renters
46.6%
Age distribution
21.3%
24.2%
25.8%
13.5%
15.2%
Under 1821.3%
18–3424.2%
35–5425.8%
55–6413.5%
65+15.2%
Gender
48.7%
51.3%
Male48.7%
Female51.3%
Race & ethnicity
19.9%
77.1%
White19.9%
Black3.7%
Hispanic77.1%
Asian8%
Education (25+)
21.9%
24.8%
27.9%
25.4%
No HS diploma21.9%
HS diploma24.8%
Some college27.9%
Bachelor's+25.4%
Housing tenure
53.4%
46.6%
Owner53.4%
Renter46.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 90242 in Downey, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,648 → $2,249
up 36.5%
Income
$75,005 → $89,075
up 18.8%
Population
43,002 → 40,767
down 5.2%
Renter share
51.1% → 46.6%
-4.5 pts
Bachelor's+
22.2% → 25.4%
+3.2 pts
Median age
35.1 → 37.7
+2.6 yrs

The median rent in ZIP 90242 in Downey, CA stood at $1,648 in 2021 and currently runs about $2,249, reflecting a 36.5% increase over the period. Median household income rose from $75,005 to $89,075 between 2021 and 2024, a 18.8% shift. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 5.2% since 2021, moving from about 43,002 residents to roughly 40,767. Renters now make up 46.6% of households, compared with 51.1% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 25.4% of adults here, versus 22.2% in 2021. Taken together, the five-year picture in ZIP 90242 in Downey, CA reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 90242

Last updated: July 20, 2026

ZIP code 90242 covers Downey, CA. The median rent here is $2,249/mo as of July 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $2,000/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $2,490/mo.

At 30% of local median household income ($89,075/yr), ZIP 90242 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in ZIP code 90242?

As of July 20, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 90242 (Downey, CA) is $2,249. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 90242 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 90242's median rent of $2,249/mo is $284 (14%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo.

How does ZIP 90242 compare to other ZIPs in California?

ZIP 90242 is among the more affordable ZIP codes in California, ranking #738 out of 907 ZIPs at $2,249/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 90242?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $90,000/year (~$43/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,249/mo in ZIP 90242. The local median household income is $89,075/yr, meaning the typical household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 90242?

Rent in ZIP 90242 has increased 5.8% over the past year as of July 20, 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Is ZIP 90242 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 90242 is considered moderate for renters. At $2,249/mo, rent takes approximately 30% of the local median household income ($89,075/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 90242 slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

What percentage of ZIP 90242 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 46.6% of ZIP 90242 households are renters, while 53.4% are owner-occupied. ZIP 90242 leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does ZIP 90242 compare to the rest of Downey?

ZIP 90242 is more affordable than Downey overall. At $2,249/mo, it's $63 below the Downey citywide median of $2,312/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 90242 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 90242 reflects July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Income Affordability
30%
MODERATE

At $2,249/mo, rent takes ~30% of ZIP 90242's median household income ($89,075/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 90242 30%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
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