ZIP Code 90242 — Downey, CA Home Prices (2026)
The typical home in ZIP 90242 (Downey, California) is worth about $823,000 at roughly $573 per square foot — 12% more affordable than the Downey median and 180% more expensive than the typical U.S. home.
How 90242 compares
ZIP 90242 is one of the more affordable ZIP codes in Downey: its typical home value of $823,000 ranks #3 of the 3 Downey ZIP codes we track (the citywide range runs from $823,000 in 90242 to $944,000 in 90240). Per square foot it costs about $573, against $573 for Downey as a whole, $455 for California, and $195 nationally.
| Area | Typical value | $ / sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| ZIP 90242 | $823,000 | $573 |
| Downey, CA | $930,000 | $573 |
| California | $698,000 | $455 |
| United States | $294,000 | $195 |
Home value by size in 90242
Using this ZIP’s rate of about $573 per square foot. Condition, lot, and the exact street move these meaningfully — use the estimator below for a home-specific figure.
| Home size | Estimated value |
|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | $573,000 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $859,500 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $1,146,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $1,432,500 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $1,719,000 |
Salary needed to buy a home in ZIP 90242
To buy the typical $823,000 home in ZIP 90242 with 20% down, you need a household income of roughly $224,000 a year (about $5,220 a month for the mortgage, taxes, and insurance). With 10% down the bar rises to about $266,000, because the loan is bigger and mortgage insurance kicks in.
| Down payment | Cash down | Monthly payment | Income needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5% (+PMI) | $41,200 | $6,490/mo | $278,000/yr |
| 10% (+PMI) | $82,300 | $6,210/mo | $266,000/yr |
| 20% | $164,600 | $5,220/mo | $224,000/yr |
Assumes a 30-year fixed mortgage at 6.5%, property tax at 1.1% and insurance at 0.45% of value per year, PMI of 0.75% on loans with less than 20% down, and the standard 28% housing-to-income rule. Your rate, taxes, and HOA will move these — run your own numbers in the mortgage calculator.
What your budget buys in ZIP 90242
At about $573 per square foot, here is roughly how much home different budgets get you in ZIP 90242:
| Budget | Approx. size | What that looks like locally |
|---|---|---|
| $400k | 700 sq ft | below the local median — condos, smaller or older homes |
| $500k | 870 sq ft | below the local median — condos, smaller or older homes |
| $600k | 1050 sq ft | below the local median — condos, smaller or older homes |
| $750k | 1310 sq ft | around the typical home here |
| $1.00M | 1750 sq ft | around the typical home here |
Wondering where that budget goes further? The relocation calculator ranks hundreds of U.S. cities by what the same money buys — it opens pre-filled with a typical 90242 home.
Estimate a specific home in 90242
The estimator below is pre-set to ZIP 90242 — pick your home’s size for an instant ballpark, then open the full calculator to adjust beds, baths, and condition.
All Downey ZIP codes by home value
Where 90242 sits among Downey’s 3 ZIP codes:
ZIP 90242 home prices: frequently asked
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See the full Downey home values page, all California cities, or price per square foot by ZIP code nationwide.
Directional estimates from public market data (Realtor.com & Zillow research), not appraisals. A single ZIP contains very different homes; actual values vary and change over time.